Tsunami alert planned for Bay of Plenty

Tsunami Warning: Sign on Hewletts Road. Photo/file

Bay of Plenty emergency authorities will use an upcoming World Tsunami Day to test their alert systems throughout the region.

World Tsunami Awareness Day makes will be held this Saturday.

The Bay of Plenty Emergency Management team will send out an alert at 12pm and said in a statement they welcomed the chance to remind people to be prepared.

New Zealand joins 13 other counties taking part in the day, initiated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.

Bay of Plenty emergency management director Clinton Naude said tsunamis knew no borders, therefore international political and public understanding of risk reduction was extremely important.

"Tsunamis are rare events, but that very fact makes understanding the risk and knowing what to do and where to evacuate before a wave strikes, vital,'' he said.

"Testing our alert systems allows us to practice our activation procedures, ensure the systems are functioning correctly and helps to increase public awareness around responding to emergency events."

"For those that have registered for text alerts this means that this Saturday you will receive a text not long after 12pm as part of the test. For those who haven't registered for text alerts or email updates, there is still plenty of time, you simply need to visit our website or call our toll free number".

Saturday's test at 12pm will include:
•Text alerts
•Email updates
•Social media updates on facebook.com/bopcivildefence and twitter.com/bopcivildefence
•Fixed sirens will also be tested in the eastern Bay of Plenty