Man in a blue Selwyn Emergency Management shirt putting up a new Tsunami Evacuation Zone sign

Fewer people are at risk and will have to evacuate if a tsunami hits Selwyn, new modelling shows.

Selwyn’s tsunami evacuation zone around Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere has been reduced, with the old red and orange zones replaced with one blue evacuation zone.

The boundary now follows more closely the areas that could be flooded or isolated in a rare, large tsunami.

This reflects the risk and avoids asking people to evacuate when they do not need to, helping keep roads clear for those who need to evacuate urgently.

The change is part of a national shift to a single blue evacuation zone across New Zealand by 2031. Council Head of Emergency Management Al Lawn said the change would make evacuation advice easier to understand.

“One blue zone means people no longer need to work out if they need to follow the advice for the red zone or the orange zone. Now it’s simpler – if you are in the blue zone and feel an earthquake that is more than a minute long, or it’s strong, making it hard to stand, get gone. Evacuate out of the blue zone. Do not wait for an official warning.

“If you are outside the blue zone, stay where you are. Unnecessary evacuation can delay people who need to leave.”

Check the new zone and make sure you are ready to go, he says.

“For everyone, especially in the blue zone, we need to remember, emergencies can happen at any time. It’s up to you to be ready. Make a plan and have an emergency kit. You can check if you are ready to go today by checking our Are You Ready guide on the Council website.”

Last modified: 06 Oct 2026 12:33pm