Whakatane District Council and Emergency Management Bay of Plenty have jointly organised a Tsunami Hikoi to encourage people to prepare for evacuation to higher ground should natural signals, such as a long or strong earthquake occur, or a tsunami alert be given.

The Tsunami Hikoi will be held on Wednesday March 13, with two sessions providing the option to participate at a time that suits.

The first Hikoi will begin at 1.30pm, and aims to have local schools involved.

The second Hikoi will be at 5.30pm and those in the Whakatane CBD, and those generally keen to understand more about emergency preparedness, are encouraged to attend.

The Hikoi will start from Wharaurangi on The Strand and end at the Camellia Park on Waiewe Street, where spot prizes and a free barbeque will reward those who join in.

Council and EMBOP staff will be on hand to help people create an evacuation plan, along with information packs, and household evacuation plans for people to take away.

Whakatane District Council Manager Planning and Regulation, Barbara Dempsey says the Tsunami Hikoi provides an opportunity to ‘practice what we preach' and to talk frankly about emergency services.

'We learn best by doing, so the Hikoi enables us to walk through the scenario and understand what challenges we may be faces with if the real thing occurs.

'It also provides a great opportunity to share ideas and gather knowledge from one another, and those who are trained to prepare for these events.”

The event will be postponed to the following Wednesday (March 20) if raining.