If you receive a test alert sometime between 6pm and 7pm on Sunday, November 24 – don't be alarmed.

The Civil Defence is conducting a nationwide test of Emergency Mobile Alerts, where in the event of a natural disaster or public emergency, the Civil Defence could use this system to provide information to those affected.

The Getready.govt.nz website says the nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system is a necessary part of making sure the system works well.

'The nationwide test is sent to cell towers all over New Zealand and we expect approximately three million phones are capable of receiving the alert.

'In 2017 and 2018 we received thousands of feedback submissions from people that helped us evaluate and improve the Emergency Mobile Alert system.

'The most recent nationwide test was held on the evening of November 25 2018.”

To make sure your phone is capable to receive the alerts, click here:

For more information about the nationwide test, click here: