Floods, landslides and storms are everywhere - but earthquakes scare us more

Thursday, 11 June 2026

Kiwis might be dealing with more floods, storms and landslides than ever before, but when it comes to natural hazards, earthquakes are still the disaster that keeps us awake at night.

New research from the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake has found earthquakes continue to top the list of natural hazard concerns, with most people expecting a significant quake could cause moderate to substantial damage to their home or land.

The findings come as New Zealand grapples with increasingly frequent severe weather events, including flooding, slips and storms that have caused widespread disruption and billions of dollars in damage in recent years. In fact there was almost one every week in the last year.

Concern about earthquakes remained high across the country, even though many New Zealanders say they understand there are practical steps they can take to reduce risks around their homes.

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About 70% of respondents — rising to 74% among homeowners — said they were aware of actions that could make their homes safer and stronger in a natural disaster.

However, many had yet to act, citing cost, time and uncertainty about whether the work is necessary as the biggest barriers.

In response, the commission has launched a new public education campaign, Don't Wait for the Woah, aimed at encouraging people to take simple steps to prepare for future earthquakes.

Natural Hazards Commission public education manager Hamish Armstrong said earthquakes remained a fact of life in New Zealand.

'We don't need to be scared of them, but we do need to be prepared,' he said.

'We know many households are under pressure right now, and this campaign recognises that not every preparedness action is quick, easy or affordable. But every step helps.'

The campaign focuses on practical measures including securing tall furniture and appliances, moving heavy objects to lower shelves and learning how to turn off water and gas supplies.

Armstrong said preparedness did not have to happen all at once.

“Some actions can be completed in an afternoon, while others may need professional advice and longer-term planning,” he said.

The research found many people who had already taken preparedness measures reported feeling relieved afterwards, describing it as “one less thing to worry about” and “a real weight off my mind”.