In a first for Whangamata, locals and holidaymakers are invited to a free, fun and informative Tsunami Awareness Open Day to be held next week.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council says the open day will be held at the Whangamata Area Office on Sunday, January 25, from 9.30am to 3.00pm.

A Tsunami Awareness Open Day will be held at the Whangamata Area Office on Sunday, January 25. Photo: File

Council representatives and emergency services staff will converge at the area office to answer questions and give away prizes. A sausage sizzle and 'things to explore” will also be available.

Whangamata/Tairua-Pauanui Area Manager and Civil Defence Controller Garry Towler says this will be a family-friendly event.

'The event is designed to remind us all that despite our appreciation for this amazing place that we call home or visit year after year, nowhere is immune to Civil Defence Emergencies,” he says.

'It is important to be informed and prepared and public awareness is vital for good emergency preparedness."

Garry adds: "We are pleased to have this opportunity to share and showcase tsunami research relevant to Whangamata and hope that everyone will join us.”

Recently the district and Waikato Regional councils commissioned new scientific work to better understand the impacts of a tsunami event on Whangamata and Onemana.

This research work identified areas of Whangamata that are vulnerable to inundation from a large, near-source tsunami.

The Open Day is also an invitation for Whangamata locals and holidaymakers to share with council their thoughts on the best approach to managing tsunami risks in Whangamata.

Event organisers are especially interested in views on emergency management procedures that should be adopted and the best ways to educate the community.

They're also keen to hear what people think about restricting the location of facilities like kindergartens or rest-homes from being built in the path of a potential tsunami.

Further information on the tsunami hazards and risks, including inundation maps, posters and reports are available on the Waikato Regional Council website.

For tsunami information on other Coromandel communities visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council's website at: www.tcdc.govt.nz/tsunami