Civil Defence joins Whanganui Rocks to raise awareness

Whanganui District Council emergency management officer Anthony Edwards and Devon Cresswell are ready for Whanganui Rocks.

Civil defence is getting into the Whanganui Rocks craze with prizes for rock hunters to be won.

The Whanganui Civil Defence Emergency Management team have begun hiding specially marked rocks in places around Whanganui for others to find, re-hide or keep.

The rocks have been provided and painted by Erina Cresswell and are distinctive and bright but well hidden.

Two of the rocks are painted with the Civil Defence mascot, Stan the Dog, on them and those who find them will win a Grab and Go survival kit.

The Civil Defence team will also be hiding a dozen other smaller rocks with the Civil Defence logo on them with a Stan soft toy for those who unearth them.

Details on what to do are on the underside of all the rocks.

"The goal of the Civil Defence's involvement in Whanganui Rocks is to raise awareness, especially with kids, and to get people thinking about disaster preparation so they can stay safe during emergencies," Whanganui District Council Emergency management officer Anthony Edwards said.

Everyone in Whanganui can get involved in Whanganui Rocks by getting out and searching for hidden painted rocks around the city, or by painting their own and hiding them for someone else to find.

People can check out some of the rocks being painted and hidden on the Whanganui Rocks Facebook page.