The 1855 earthquake is the most severe earthquake to have occurred in New Zealand since systematic European colonisation began in 1840.
| When | Tue Jan 23 1855 9:11 PM |
| Where | 20 km west of Martinborough |
| Shaking | Extreme |
| Magnitude | 8.2 |
| Depth | 33 km |
| Quality | best |
One of the best things New Zealanders can do is make a plan, and have a grab bag ready to go in case of emergencies. Ensure everyone in your family knows what the plan is, where to meet and how to stay connected with whānau when our lives are disrupted by natural hazard events.
There's a lot you can do to make your home safer and stronger for natural hazards. Every step you take will reduce the impact of a disaster on you and your family, so get started today.