Review of the Tsunami Evacuation 2017

“People in the coastal areas should not wait for an official warning. Instead, let the natural signs be the
warning. They must take immediate action to evacuate predetermined evacuation zones, or in the
absence of predetermined evacuation zones, go to high ground or go inland. Natural signs include:
experience strong earthquakes (hard to stand up), experience weak earthquakes lasting for a minute
or more, or observe strange sea behavior such as the sea level suddenly rising and falling, or hear the
sea making loud and unusual noises or roaring like a jet engine.”
As the tsunami propagates along the coast to other regions (depending on its nature), warnings to
other parts of New Zealand may still be meaningful and may be issued via the national warning
system.
Public Information Management
Information management is also covered in the Guide. As stated in the Guide, the National Controller
appoints a public information manager to:
• oversee the relationship with and monitoring of the media;
• oversee the release of public information, including media releases, updates of the MCDEM
website and social media, promotion of the 0800 Government Helpline and request of the
broadcast of emergency announcements;
• support CDEM Groups by publicly acknowledging the territorial authorities and CDEM Groups
involved, coordinating nationally-issued public information to ensure that it is consistent and
complementary with that issued by CDEM Groups and providing assistance and advice to
CDEM Groups.
During all responses CDEM Groups focus on communicating directly with communities. When there is
a state of national emergency or emergency of national significance, CDEM Groups must liaise with
the national public information manager so that statements can be coordinated, made consistent and,
if need be, prioritised.
The Guide advises that MCDEM’s website has automatic links to CDEM Groups’ websites. When a
CDEM Group changes the emergency status on its website, this is automatically displayed on the
MCDEM website’s homepage. Group Controllers are responsible for the information their CDEM
Group issues during emergencies.
Evacuations
It is acknowledged in the Guide that evacuations can produce long-term negative effects therefore
evacuations should only to be undertaken as a last resort and in a well-managed and organised
manner. The Guide provides that mandatory evacuations can either be ordered before a state of
emergency is declared (by the New Zealand Police or the fire services) if life or property is in danger,
or after a state of emergency is declared (by the New Zealand Police, the National Controller, a CDEM
Group Controller, or a person authorised under s 86 of the Act).
To ensure the effective management of evacuations, the decision to evacuate must be the product of
consultation among the agencies involved (i.e. CDEM Group, New Zealand Police, New Zealand Fire
Service and the relevant support agencies). The Guide details how information conveyed to the public
by local authorities, CDEM Groups, or the National Crisis Management Centre must contain assurance
of a well-managed emergency response; and the message that people should remain calm and follow
the instructions of emergency services personnel. The Guide acknowledges that the public require
regular information updates. These are to be kept simple, and must be disseminated in as many forms
and to as many outlets as possible. The public must be provided with essential information including:
• issuing authority (which agency)
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