The Wellington region will moved to Orange Level on Friday 3 December.
Read morePlease access our enquiry form below.
Bin Enquiry FormBlue Lines are road markings that show the maximum reach of a large tsunami. They also show where you need to get past in such an event.
Large earthquakes that take place in the water could create a tsunami.
If an earthquake is long or strong earthquake (one that lasts for over a minute or is strong enough to knock you off your feet), get past the Blue Lines immediately. Don’t wait for an official warning. If an earthquake is long or strong – get gone.
Hutt City Council, Wellington Regional Emergency Management Office (WREMO), and GNS Science have identified major evacuation zones in the event of a tsunami that affects Lower Hutt. To help you find safety, we've painted Blue Lines on local roads in key areas.
If an earthquake is long or strong – get gone. Don’t wait for an official warning. Move past a Blue Line. If possible, evacuate by foot, or cycle. Stay past the Blue Lines until the official “all clear” is given.
If you are in Petone, Gracefield or Seaview the map below shows the locations of Blue Line markings as blue dots (click to download):
If you are in the Eastern Bays the map below shows the locations of Blue Line markings as blue dots (click to download):
If you’re past the Blue Lines there is no need for you to evacuate.
View tsunami evacuation maps for other areas in the Wellington region
The Red Zone is the beach and marine environment, and some very low lying areas. This area is the one we ask people to stay out of most often as a result of smaller tsunamis. Evacuate this area when instructed to, or immediately after any long or strong earthquake. The earthquake may be the only warning of a tsunami, so do not wait for further instructions, notifications or advice, evacuate immediately after the shaking has stopped.
The Orange Zone is the area we may evacuate for large earthquake in the Pacific, such as near South America, causing a tsunami wave of up to 5 metres at the Wellington coastline. Alerts and evacuation advice would be issued by Civil Defence and distributed to the public. Evacuate this area when instructed to, or immediately after any long or strong earthquake. The earthquake may be the only warning of a tsunami, so do not wait for further instructions, notifications or advice, evacuate immediately after the shaking has stopped.
The Yellow Zone is the self-evacuation zone which means if you feel a long or strong earthquake, then get yourself out of all zones. The earthquake may be the only warning of a tsunami, so do not wait for further instructions, notifications or advice, evacuate immediately after the shaking has stopped.
If you are not in an evacuation zone, you don't need to evacuate to higher ground. Some areas may be cut off if your normal access goes through a tsunami evacuation zone, so be prepared to stay at home until the all clear in given.
View the online interactive tsunami evacuation map or download the PDFs:
Know where to go to get past the Blue Lines. Plan the route now with your household and work colleagues. Getting out by foot may be the fastest and easiest way to leave the evacuation zones, as roads and traffic could also be affected by the quakes.
For more tips on preparing for an emergency visit our emergency preparedness page or visit the Get Prepared website.