Kiwis should expect to hear their phones beeping loudly on Sunday evening as the New Zealand Civil Defence conducts a nationwide test to check the preparedness of New Zealanders if an emergency was to occur.
NZ Civil Defence said between 6 and 7pm on Sunday, Kiwis will receive a text message warning accompanied by the alert sound.
"This Sunday, there will be a phone alert you can’t ignore - but don’t worry, it’s just a test," NZ Civil Defence said.
"When you receive the alert, you still need to stop and read the message. This is a nationwide test of the emergency mobile alert system and it's taking place between 6-7pm this Sunday, May 22."
Emergency mobile alerts are sent by authorised agencies to capable phones to keep people safe, Civil Defence said.
But "if you feel your life is in danger, don't wait for an official warning", the agency said. "Remember - if an earthquake is long or strong, get gone."
The sound of the alert will be similar to what Kiwis received in 2020 when the country first moved into lockdown because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
