Hard hitting campaign urges New Zealanders to trust their “danger sense”
New Zealanders need to trust their “danger sense” to act upon the natural warning signs of floods and tsunami, says a new campaign by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).
The hard-hitting campaign - called ‘Trust your Danger Sense’ - encourages people to act immediately when they feel in danger. The campaign will run online, with confronting ‘before and after’ video animation. The videos can be watched by clicking on the link below and scrolling down.
“We’re asking New Zealanders to trust their ‘danger sense’, look for natural warning signs and act on them – rather than waiting for an official warning,” NEMA’s Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management John Price says.
“Some emergencies like localised flooding and local-source tsunami can develop in minutes. There may not be time for an official warning to be sent.
“That’s why it’s important to know what natural warning signs to look for and to take immediate action when you see them. Trust your human instincts, take the right action, and ensure you stay safe.
"For example, if floodwaters are rising around you, move to higher ground immediately.
“If you’re near the coast and experience a long or strong earthquake, get gone as soon as the shaking stops by moving to the nearest high ground or as far inland as possible.
“Don’t wait – trust your danger sense, and act immediately.”
John Price says no form of technology is completely failsafe and not every situation will allow time for an official warning to be issued, but there is a lot New Zealanders can do to keep themselves and their families safe.
“Emergency Mobile Alerts are one way of informing people when their life, health or property is in serious danger, but everyone should also use the radio, social media, or local Civil Defence Emergency Management channels to stay informed during an emergency too,” John Price says.
“In an emergency, first responders will be working hard to help those most at risk. By trusting your ‘danger sense’ and taking responsibility for yourself and your family, you’ll free up emergency services to help vulnerable people.”
Visit https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/danger-sense for more information - including the natural warning signs to look for, the right actions to take if they happen, and what you can do to prepare.
Published: Jul 28, 2025, 4:18 PM