Phones across NZ to receive emergency alert test
New Zealanders should expect their phones to blare an unmistakable alarm this Sunday as the annual test of the emergency mobile alert system is sent out.
The test will be broadcast to all capable phones and SIM-connected devices between 6pm and 7pm on June 14.
It is designed to confirm that the system is functioning correctly nationwide and to keep the public familiar with the alert ahead of any real emergency.
The alert will override silent mode and arrive without warning for most people — though those in flight mode will not receive it.
The system works by targeting cellphone towers rather than individual phones. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) staff are able to draw an alert to be sent to a specific geographic area — down to a single tower if needed.
"You can't opt out of an emergency, so you can't opt out of an alert," NEMA director John Price said during last year's behind-the-scenes coverage of the test.
Not all phones will receive the alert, with the capability dependent on the handset's make, model, age and software version.
However, all new phones sold in New Zealand are now required to support the EMA system, meaning coverage rates are expected to improve as older devices are replaced.
Historically, around nine in ten phones have received the message during nationwide tests.
Some may need to take precautions
NEMA flagged some people might want to take precautions before the test begins.
Anyone with a hidden phone kept for personal safety reasons, or those whose physical or mental health may be affected by the sudden loud noise, is advised to switch off SIM-connected devices or put them into flight mode between 6pm and 7pm.
For those who receive the alert, NEMA's top tip is simple: press the volume button on the side of the phone to mute the sound, which silences the alarm while keeping the message on screen.
"This leaves the message on screen for you to read in peace," Price said.
If the alert is dismissed, iPhone users can find it again in their notification centre, while Samsung users are able to locate it in their emergency alert settings.
Sunday's test is the ninth annual one of its kind, and follows a busy year for the system. Sixty-six alerts were sent in the past 12 months alone, meaning Sunday's test will be the 67th activation.
The system is operated by around 200 authorised users across agencies including Police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry for Primary Industries, and the country's 16 Civil Defence Emergency Management groups.
Price said while the alert is powerful it is only one of many ways authorities communicate during emergencies.
He urged New Zealanders not to wait for a message before acting.
"In an emergency, we need people to listen to the radio and trust their 'danger sense' — and take immediate action if they feel unsafe. This is our greatest tool to keep safe."