The Alpine Fault magnitude 8 (AF8) programme has launched a short film and campaign weaving together Matāuranga Māori and western science to strengthen peoples’ understanding of the alpine fault.

The film ‘Kauraka e Mataku, kia Takatū’ (Don't be scared, be prepared) is to encourage whānau and communities to work together to be better prepared for natural hazard events and emergencies.

Watch the short three minute film on YouTube here.

Emergency Management Otago (EMO) team leader Central Courtenay Jamieson said the film was a great example of different groups and perspectives coming together with a common call to action, to be prepared.

“The film tells the history of the AF8 and just like it’s previous ruptures have built our beautiful mountains and landscape, another impending rupture will again drastically change the land we live on. 

“Not only will the landscape be altered, but our way of life too with infrastructure, roading and communications likely to be down. The reality of the earthquake’s impact can sometimes seem overwhelming, but there’s also the important message - if we’re prepared, we’ll be ok, kia kaha (stay strong).”

Courtenay said the film shows pragmatic simple ways to take action to be better prepared for when an AF8 earthquake hits, such as organising emergency supplies like water, food and grab and go bags. 

“[EMO] also recommends signing up to Otago Gets Ready for regional emergency alerts and to check out getready.govt.nz for more info on how to be prepared for an emergency.”

The film was co-produced by Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu and the AF8 Programme with co-sponsorship from Toka Tū Ake EQC.

From next Monday (April15) EMO are running an online preparedness survey, and respondents can go in the draw to win one of five family sized grab and go bags.  

On the AF8 website it states that scientific research indicates there is a 75 per cent probability of an alpine fault earthquake occurring in the next 50 years, and there is a four out of five chance that it will be a magnitude 8+ event.