Editorial: Reminder to be ready for big one

Damage to the Eketahuna four-square store following the 6.3 earthquake.

It is quite an eerie sensation when the building you are in keeps on shaking and it doesn't seem like it will stop.

Like many people in Hawke's Bay, Tararua and Wairarapa, my colleagues and I all felt the 6.2 magnitude quake, which struck 10km north of Castlepoint in Wairarapa, at 3.52pm yesterday. We were in our offices in Hastings when the building started to sway and roll.

We have felt a few quakes in this part of the world before but this one seemed to go on forever. We all estimated that it was nearly one minute before it stopped. Our colleagues in Dannevirke said it was even worse there, with crockery and other breakables smashing.

Even further afield in Wairarapa, there were reports of damage. One of the worst hit towns was Eketahuna, where there were reports of broken windows, collapsed walls and fallen chimneys.

Unfortunately, this is part of life in New Zealand.

The earthquakes in Christchurch were tragic and will forever be part of our history. It is important we never forget.. Even to this day, many in Canterbury are living with the reality of the quake. Many lost loved ones and many are still battling to recover emotionally and financially. Even the activity in Seddon last year unnerved a lot of people, so all we can do is make sure we are prepared for the worst.

We need to be sure that all those close to us know what to do in an earthquake. One of the good things about those civil defence adverts on television is that most children, even the very young ones, know what to do when the ground begins to move. It is important that they are kept calm at all times, until everyone is moved to safety.

Hopefully it never gets to that, but it always pays to be prepared.