Bay of Plenty Civil Defence is testing its alerting systems at 10am on Monday.
The organisation is urging the public to take this opportunity to make an emergency plan and put it into practice.
These twice-yearly tests enable the organisation to check the systems which are used to alert people about natural and manmade emergencies were working as they should.
Tests also raised public awareness about what alerting systems were available in each area.
Emergency Management Bay of Plenty director Clinton Naude said this test would include text alerts and social media as well as fixed and vehicle mounted mobile sirens in specific areas.
"These days, people get their information from different places, and no technology is 100 per cent fail safe or equally useful in all conditions and emergencies. In a real event we would try to reach people with a combination of all means available," he said.
"Because the test is happening during a school day, it's a good reminder that an emergency can happen at any time and people need to be prepared regardless. Think about if you were stuck at home, couldn't get home or had to leave home in a hurry.
"Although we have a range of channels to communicate information about emergencies, no system replaces the need for people to pay attention to natural warnings."
The test this Monday at 10am will include:
- Text alerts
- Social media updates on facebook.com/bopcivildefence and twitter.com/bopcivildefence.
- Fixed sirens in Eastern Bay of Plenty.
- Vehicle mounted sirens in Waihī Beach, Athenree, Bowentown, Pukehina, Lake Tarawera, Kawerau, Whakatāne and Opotiki.
To register for text alerts, or for more information on how to get prepared, visit www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz or text the two letters for the area you live (TA for Tauranga, WB for Western Bay of Plenty, KA for Kawerau, WH for Whakatāne, RO for Rotorua and OP for Ōpōtiki) to 2028.
www.happens.nz has tips for families to be prepared, including advice on how to evacuate, assemble getaway bags, and make plans.