Is the Tsunami Warning System Adequate?
We have been approached by a number of residents on the matter of tsunami sirens or the lack of them. This issue was actually raised before the recent South Island earthquake so is not a knee jerk reaction. We post a submission received from one resident and we would appreciate comments.
SUBMISSION
It will take a disaster and significant loss of life before we take the threat of tsunamis seriously. It may not happen in our lifetime or it could happen tomorrow.
We have heard from some that we are protected by the Hauraki gulf islands. This is not a fact. Waiheke could actually act as a magnifying glass and combine the waves that come around it’s ends to amplify the resultant wave action!
Cellular texts is not the answer and will not work at night when people are sleeping and certainly not for the elderly who do not text. But, as a temporary stop gap this would take only one week to program the cellular provider’s computer to send a pre-set message to all users in range of selected cell towers defining the area of alert.
Sirens are not costly at $6,000 each installed on existing infrastructure. These can be activated individually by radio, cellular or satellite based on area of alert. Sirens were installed and still exist by the Rodney and Waitakere Councils before amalgamation into the Auckland Super City. There also installed at numerous locations around the country including Pauanui.
The Civil Defence which relies on government funding want to placate us with a tsunami warning based on cellular texts. Their explanation is that we are not capable of understanding the following signals:
1. Alert signal (dash – dash – dot – dot) sounded for 15 minutes
2. Evacuate signal (dot-dot-dot) sounded in continuous burst for 15 minutes
3. All clear signal (a continuous tone for five minutes)
Live Q&A: Garden maintenance with Crewcut
This Wednesday, we're having another Neighbourly Q&A session. This time with John Bracewell from Crewcut.
John Bracewell, former Black Caps coach turned Franchisee Development Manager and currently the face of Crewcut’s #Movember campaign, knows a thing or two about keeping the grass looking sharp—whether it’s on a cricket pitch or in your backyard!
As a seasoned Crewcut franchisee, John is excited to answer your lawn and gardening questions. After years of perfecting the greens on the field, he's ready to share tips on how to knock your garden out of the park. Let's just say he’s as passionate about lush lawns as he is about a good game of cricket!
John is happy to answer questions about lawn mowing, tree/hedge trimming, tidying your garden, ride on mowing, you name it! He'll be online on Wednesday, 27th of November to answer them all.
Share your question below now ⬇️
Poll: When should the tree go up? 🎄
From what we've heard, some Christmas trees are already being assembled and decorated.
What are your thoughts on the best time to get your Christmas tree up?
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4.7% Second half of November
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43.6% 1st December
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17.5% A week before Christmas
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33.1% Whenever you wish
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite tomato recipe?
Kia ora neighbours. We know your tomato plants are still growing, but we're looking ahead to the harvest already! If you've got a family recipe for tomatoes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine to share with our readers. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our February 2025 issue.
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