Bay of Plenty Civil Defence staff are joining more than 100 organisations around the country testing their responses to a major tsunami scenario.

Taking place across the entire Bay, the exercise will be based around a 'tsunami” scenario generated by an earthquake in the Kermadec Trench region.

Emergency services and the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence are joining hundreds of agencies in a national tsunami exercise.

In real life, the waves would take less than three hours to reach New Zealand.

'The entire coastline of New Zealand's is at risk of tsunami, especially with the majority of the population living near the coast,” says Clinton Naude, Director of Emergency Management for the Bay of Plenty.

'A lot of people think a tsunami is a single wave, whereas this natural phenomenon actually consists of a series of waves generated when a large volume of ocean water is rapidly displaced.”

The tsunami scenario has been planned as part of Exercise Tangaroa, a series of workshops and events taking place over three days in August and September, and involving agencies from Central Government to regional groups and emergency services.

While activities will vary in each region, the first exercise taking place today will simulate a scenario where there's a high volume of inter-agency communications and test the response, says Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye.

'Exercise Tangaroa is an opportunity for all of these organisations to test their processes, decision-making and communications.”

For the Bay of Plenty, all seven councils who make up the Civil Defence Emergency Management Group will be involved, as well as emergency services including the police and coastguards.

The exercise is designed not to disturb the public, but some local authorities may choose to test public warning and evacuation systems and will let communities know it is a test before proceeding.

The exercises are essential, as given the event of a major tsunami, a massive response and recovery effort will be needed, says Nikki.

'The risk of tsunami is real and we must be prepared.”

What to do in a real emergency:

From the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Civil Defence Services:

If you are at the coast and experience any of the following:

· Feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up, or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more.

· See a sudden rise or fall in sea level.

· Hear loud and unusual noises from the sea.

Then move immediately to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can.

During a tsunami warning:

•Move immediately to the nearest higher ground, or as far inland as you can. Walk or bike if possible.

•If you do not have time to move to higher ground or inland, go to an upper storey of a sturdy building, climb onto a roof or up a tree.

•Do not go sightseeing. Never go to the shore to watch for a tsunami.

•Listen to the radio and follow the instructions of emergency services.

•Stay away from at-risk areas until the official all-clear is given.