Natural disasters and hazards

Find out about steps to take to prepare and stay safe in natural disasters and hazards.

Emergencies that could affect you while at Te Herenga Waka include earthquakes, fires, accidents, tsunami or severe weather.

One emergency can trigger another. For example, an earthquake may cause electricity failure, which in turn may cause people to become trapped in a lift.

Find out about some common emergencies below.

You should also be familiar with preparing for an emergency at the University and at home.

Earthquake

Earthquakes are common in New Zealand and can be significant. During an earthquake, drop, cover and hold.

During an earthquake

  • Act quickly—drop to the ground, take cover, and hold on until the shaking stops.
  • If there is no cover, crouch on your knees on the floor away from windows, put your arms over your head and neck to protect them.
  • If you cannot get to the floor, cover your head and neck as best you can.
  • Lock your wheels if you are in a wheelchair.

After an earthquake

  • Stay inside, gather everyone in one place until it is safe to exit.
  • If you are in a multi-storey building, check the stairs before making your way to lower floors.
  • If the fire alarm is sounding or if a fire warden tells you to get out evacuate immediately as the building may be compromised.
  • Take your belongings, beware of falling debris and follow evacuation procedures.

Tsunami

Tsunami are associated with large earthquakes. They can arrive within minutes or hours and may be caused by an earthquake thousands of kilometres away.

If you feel an earthquake that’s long or strong—get gone.

When to evacuate

Move immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland in the following situations.

  • You feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up.
  • You feel a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more.
  • You see a sudden rise or fall in sea level.
  • You hear loud and unusual noises from the sea.

If there is an evacuation map, follow the routes shown.

Preparing for tsunami

Parts of Wellington most at risk are the CBD, Lyall Bay, Rongotai, Seatoun, and coastal areas. Blue lines painted across roads and footpaths show the safe zone if there is a long or strong earthquake.

You can prepare in these areas with these simple steps.

  • Know where the nearest high ground is and how you will reach it.
  • Plan to get as high up or as far inland as you can.

See whether you are at risk on the Wellington Region Tsunami Zone map.

Flooding, storm or severe weather

Severe weather can cause damage to buildings, to equipment, and cause other hazards.

Utilities failure

Utilities failures can include water and electrical outages, as well as gas failures and leaks. Find out what to do.

Hazards and security emergencies

You may be able to identify a hazardous substance due to unusual smells in the vicinity or obvious signs, such as a container that has tipped over. People in the immediate area may need medical help.

Security emergencies include:

In all cases, call Campus Security on 0800 842 8888. For bomb threats and potentially hazardous substances:

  • do not attempt to touch a suspicious package or potentially harmful substance
  • do not activate building alarms or other electronic equipment
  • move well away from the substance or package before using a mobile phone.

Call Campus Security—0800 842 8888—giving the exact location of the threat and as much information as possible.