Solar tsunami sirens close

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Publication title: Northern Advocate, The (Whangarei, New Zealand)

The $6.7 million (to date) four-year project funded by Northland ratepayers is the country’s first major regionwide project using new Danish-designed solar-powered tsunami siren units. The 94-siren rollout is expected to be completed by October

The new sirens are then expected to be in action from April next year, replacing the region’s current older style siren network and progressively installed since 2010.

More than 15,000 Northlanders shifted to higher ground on March 5, 2021, after an 8.1 earthquake in the Kermadecs in what was the event’s biggest regional tsunami evacuation nationally.

Northland currently has 205 existing sirens — New Zealand’s biggest tsunami siren network — that will be in action until the new Danish-designed system kicks in.

Northland Civil Defence emergency management specialist tsunami projects Brendon Gray said the replacements would not mean loss of public safety.

“Even though the number of new sirens is less than half of the existing ones, due to the increased capabilities of the new sirens, all areas will see improved sound coverage from what they have currently,” Gray said.

“These upgraded sirens will provide timely alerts — even in situations where the current network wouldn’t be able to, such as during Cyclone Gabrielle where widespread power and mobile network outages impacted the region.

“Upgrading our siren network allows us to stay ahead of the curve. By meeting national and international standards for warning signals, we ensure our early warning system remains effective.”

Whangārei Heads currently has 18 sirens but that number will halve. In the Bay of Islands, siren numbers will drop from 11 to eight in the Russell, Paihia and...