Quake drill: 35,000 in the Bay register

Hawke's Bay has reached its target of registering more than 35,000 people to take part in New Zealand's largest earthquake drill, Exercise Shake Out.

The exercise initiative will ask people around the country to drop, cover and hold at 9.26am next Wednesday.

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management manager Ian Macdonald was happy with the number of local people who had already registered for the drill and said he was hoping that even more would sign up before next Wednesday.

"There is still time for others to register and it's easy. Simply visit the Shake Out website and it'll take two minutes to sign up."

He said the earthquake drill was the focal point of New Zealand Shake Out because it was a clear, simple action people could take to help prepare them for an earthquake.

"It is also a first step and encourages people to look at their preparedness in more detail."

Napier MP Chris Tremain and Tukituki MP Craig Foss will be taking part in a school "Mini Shake" tomorrow. "Mahora School, due to a diary clash with their school production, couldn't take part on the National Shake Out day," Mr Tremain said.

People can register at the website www.getthru.govt.nz