How do emergency alerts work in New Zealand?

Short answer. New Zealand warns the public through Emergency Mobile Alert: cell broadcast messages with a loud sound, sent to capable phones in the affected area, with no sign-up, no app and no opt-out ¹. For tsunami, a long or strong earthquake is the warning: get gone ². There is no national siren network; some areas have local tsunami sirens ³.

What is Emergency Mobile Alert?

Emergency Mobile Alert sends cell broadcast messages to capable phones in the area at risk ¹. Key points from NEMA's factsheet ¹:

• It is sent only for a serious threat to life, health or property, or once or twice a year for testing.
• It works on any network and does not use your phone number.
• There is no sign-up, no app and no opt-out.
• Messages arrive with a loud sound.

The instruction when one arrives: "Stop what you're doing and follow the instructions" ¹.

Who can send an Emergency Mobile Alert?

Six authorised senders ¹:

What does "Long or Strong, Get Gone" mean?

It is New Zealand's natural tsunami warning ². If you are near the coast and an earthquake lasts more than a minute, or is so strong it is hard to stand up ²:

1. Move immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as possible.
2. Walk or bike if you can.
3. Do not wait for an official warning.
4. Stay there until the all clear.

NEMA's factsheet sums it up: "If an earthquake is LONG or STRONG: GET GONE" ².

Does New Zealand have air raid or tsunami sirens?

There is no national siren network ³. Some areas have tsunami sirens, chosen and run by local CDEM Groups or territorial authorities, and several cities have decommissioned theirs ³. Check your council's website to find out whether your area has sirens ³.

Technical Standard TS 03/14 (July 2014) sets a national standard signal: a multiple tone that rises repeatedly, distinct from emergency-service sirens ³. Its meaning is set out in the standard: "The meaning of signal-only sirens used in tsunami warnings is 'seek further information'" ³. A siren is a prompt to check official channels, not a full instruction.

How else will I get information?

Keep a radio and batteries, and a portable phone charger, which are on the official supplies list; see the New Zealand kit page. For radio and power cuts, see How do you prepare for a long power outage?. For agreeing in advance where your household meets, see How do I make a family emergency plan?.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to register for emergency alerts in New Zealand?

No. Emergency Mobile Alert needs no sign-up and no app, and it does not use your phone number ¹.

Can I turn off Emergency Mobile Alert?

No. There is no opt-out ¹.

Should I wait for an official tsunami warning?

No. After a long or strong earthquake near the coast, move to high ground or inland immediately, without waiting for an official warning ².

What does a tsunami siren mean in New Zealand?

Signal-only sirens mean "seek further information" ³. Not every area has sirens; check with your council ³.

Sources

1. National Emergency Management Agency (Get Ready) — Emergency Mobile Alert (factsheet, large print) — https://getready.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/documents/alternate-formats/large-print/docx/36-ema-factsheet-lp-en-sep22.docx (accessed 2026-10-20)
2. National Emergency Management Agency (Civil Defence) — Long or Strong, Get Gone (earthquake/tsunami factsheet) — https://getready.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/documents/tsunami/long-strong-get-gone/long-strong-earthquake-fact-en-dec16.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
3. Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (now NEMA) — Tsunami Warning Sirens Technical Standard [TS 03/14] — https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/assets/Archive/Tsunami-Warning-Sirens-TS-03-14.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)