It starts before the shake: Wellington
25 May 2025 - 25 May 2025
11:00 am–12:30 pm
Region(s): Wellington
Type(s): presentations
Aotearoa New Zealand sits on one of the most active plate boundaries in the world, which means we live with the risk of earthquakes and tsunamis every day. The good news is, there’s a lot we can do to plan and prepare.
Wellington fault lines
Wellington is located on six active faults. This shows the fault that runs through the centre of Wellington Harbour and the Hutt Valley.
This free event is designed to help you feel more confident, connected, and informed, before the shake. The session will include a short talk, providing easy tips for preparing your home, family and workplace, followed by time for an open discussion.
This event is proudly hosted by the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office & supported by GNS Science with funding from the Natural Hazards Commission.
Speakers
Kate Clark | Earthquake geologist | GNS Science
Kate is an earthquake geologist who’s spent more than 15 years studying past earthquakes and tsunami, and how the land around us changes over time. Her work has taken her to locations all along the East Coast, helping uncover the timing of past large earthquakes written in the landscape.
Kate Boersen | Science specialist | Illuminate Science
Kate has spent the past decade helping communities, researchers, and emergency managers connect the dots between science and real life. With a background in emergency management and natural hazards, she’s passionate about making sure people have the knowledge they need to make good decisions.
Graham Leonard | Principal Scientist | GNS Science
Graham has over 20 years of experience helping New Zealanders understand and prepare for natural hazards. His work brings together cutting-edge science, emergency planning, and real-world advice to help keep communities safe. He knows how important it is to turn scientific knowledge into clear, practical steps people can take.
Location: Rongomaraeroa, the marae, Level 4, Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, Wellington
For more information and to register https://events.humanitix.com/it-starts-before-the-shake-wellington.
Related content
These two useful interactive planning pathways have collated various resources on earthquakes and volcanoes to make it easier for teachers to find relevant content. They each comprise an article and interactive that provide pedagogical advice and organise Hub resources into key science concepts and topics.
For more check out the wide range of resources under the Hub’s Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis and Disasters topics.
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