Bay of Plenty MP Todd Muller is encouraging everyone in the region to sign up and participate in the upcoming national earthquake drill, ShakeOut 2015.

'Earthquakes can happen anywhere and at any time, so it is vital that everyone in our community gets involved with ShakeOut 2015 next week,” says Todd.

Todd Muller practicing an earthquake drill at Arataki School with principal Shelley Blakey and students Anika and Connor. Photo: Supplied.

The event is happening next Thursday, October 15, at 9.15am.

The last drill in 2012 had the highest participation rate of any country, beating the United States, Canada and Japan.

This year the goal is to create New Zealand's largest-ever earthquake drill, with 1.5 million people signed up and participating, says Todd.

By signing up on the ShakeOut website, Kiwis can get information on the right actions to take before, during and after an earthquake.

There are also resources for schools, businesses, non-English speakers and people with disabilities.

'Everyone, everywhere should know what to do before, during and after an earthquake,” says Todd.

'As a nation we have seen and experienced first-hand what happens when a large quake strikes a populated area.

'It is great to see that over 78,566 people in the Bay of Plenty have signed up already, along with over one million other kiwis.”