A brand new set of tsunami evacuation signs in Mount Maunganui are being hailed as a ‘simple and easy' solution to helping point people in the right direction in case of a tsunami.

This morning members of the joint initiative between Tauranga City Council, Civil Defence and Tauranga Police unveiled 15 signs and information boards between Mauao and Banks Avenue west at the Mount.

Tauranga City Council emergency management and safety manager Paul Baunton, Bay of Plenty Emergency Management group team leader Angela Reade and Tauranga Police Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair with one of the new tsunami evacuation signs. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

Council emergency management and safety manager Paul Baunton says using signs and information boards is easily the most universal way to communicate with people about what steps to take during a tsunami and where the safe zone is.

The signs are the first of a series that will eventually be installed along the city's coastlines.

'Once you have found the safest place for people to go you then you need to let them know how to get there.”

Information on the signs, predominately on Maunganui Road, Marine Parade and The Mall, points to Mauao as the nearest safe zone for everyone who is within walking distance of the mountain.

It's estimated the biggest tsunami threat to Tauranga City is one which would arrive 50 minutes after a major earthquake.

Paul says 30metres above sea level is predicted to be a safe level away from the tsunami, with Mauao the nearest high point within walking distance.

Paul adds residents beyond Banks Ave have not been forgotten with planning underway in the next three months for evacuation routes between Mauao and Papamoa and throughout the inner Tauranga Harbour.

'With tsunami evacuations it's either getting high or far away. For the people east of Banks Ave it's all about getting them far enough away from the tsunami.”

Bay of Plenty Emergency Management group team leader Angela Reade endorses council's initial work on getting the signs active and believes the timing of the signs is perfect for residents to familiarise themselves with the information.

She believes a push for the signs follows recent natural disasters in Japan and Asia which remain at the front of people's minds.

'Although tsunamis don't happen often it's the impact of it that worries people. So yes the public will be really happy to see progress in the Bay,” says Angela.

Tauranga Police Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair says the signs, internationally recognised, make it very clear about what people need to do and where they need to go.

'It's a very simple and easy plan and fits with the natural geography of the area.”

He says although council are the lead organisation on the project they both have the same goals which is to get people evacuating themselves – getting up the mount as quickly as possible on foot.

'Clearly know the routes and know where to go and be aware of your surroundings. Don't get into your vehicles and think you will be able to drive away from the area because that's just not going to happen," says Karl.

The remainder of the evacuation route planning is expected to be finished within six months to a year with more time needed for evacuation signs and infrastructure to be rolled out across the city.

More information about the evacuation route planning can be found at www.tauranga.govt.nz.