New Zealand Faces Tsunami Threat: Experts Stress Urgent Need for Disaster Preparedness

As New Zealand continues to grapple with the potential threat of tsunamis, a distinguished professor from the University of Otago is sounding the alarm on the country’s historical response to such natural disasters. David Johnston, a noted expert in disaster management, highlights the urgency of addressing the lessons learned from past tsunami events in New Zealand and remains concerned that the nation may be at risk of repeating historical oversights. Johnston's focus is particularly on the events of 1960 and 1947, which he refers to as "missed opportunities" for enhancing the country's disaster preparedness. The 1960 tsunami, triggered by the massive 9.5 magnitude earthquake in Chile, struck New Zealand's east coast hours later, causing significant property damage in areas like Napier, Gisborne, and Lyttelton. Remarkably, there were no fatalities, a fact Johnston attributes more to luck than to effective preparedness. “We dodged it not because of our preparedness, but because of the tide,” he stated, underscoring the precariousness of relying on fortune rather than robust disaster management strategies. The 1947 tsunamis, which were provoked by two separate earthquakes near Gisborne, also serve as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking beneath the Pacific. Eyewitness accounts from that time described waves reaching heights of up to 12 meters, wreaking havoc along the coast, yet, again, the absence of fatalities was attributed to luck. Local officials, like Ben Green, manager of Tairāwhiti-Gisborne’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management group, expressed disbelief that the region escaped unscathed, given the sheer force of the waves. With recent assessments indicating a 26% chance of a significant earthquake along the Hikurangi subduction zone within the next 50 years, the need for a proactive approach to tsunami preparedness is becoming increasingly critical. Graham Leonard, a principal scientist at GNS Science, reinforces the notion that New Zealand's past experiences are not mere footnotes in history but essential lessons for the present and future. “We need to be ready for it. Because those waves are big,” Leonard warned, emphasizing the geological realities that could lead to catastrophic events similar to those seen in 2004 in the Indian Ocean and in Japan in 2011. To combat complacency, Johnston and fellow researchers plan to delve deeper into the archives of the 1947 tsunami, aiming to understand what transpired during that time and to draw parallels with potential future events. He believes that sharing stories from within communities can foster a better understanding of the risks associated with tsunamis, thus empowering individuals to prepare for potential disasters. Green has noted that raising public awareness is paramount in fostering a culture of preparedness. Initiatives such as the “shake-out” and tsunami hīkoi campaigns serve as annual reminders for citizens to familiarize themselves with evacuation routes and tsunami inundation maps. Moreover, new enhancements in emergency response capabilities, including desalination units and advanced communication technology, are steps in the right direction, ensuring that communities are better equipped to handle the aftermath of a disaster. As the specter of tsunamis looms large over the coastal regions of New Zealand, the collective call for action resonates louder than ever. Acknowledging the lessons of the past is not only a matter of honoring those who lived through historical events but also a crucial part of safeguarding the future. New Zealand must heed these warnings and take decisive steps toward comprehensive disaster preparedness, for as Johnston aptly concludes, “It’s something that if we don’t see in our lifetime, our next generation will see an iteration of.”