About 300 people attended the recent Whangamata's Tsunami Open Day to learn more about the possible threat of a tsunami to the area.

'We had a wide range of attendees who were keen to learn about the risks,” says Thames-Coromandel District Council strategic relationships manager Peter Wishart.

'Particularly from a large earthquake on the Tonga-Kermadec Trench, which would take about an hour to reach Whangamata.”

Coastal and tsunami scientists who worked on this project were also at the open day and met with the public to talk about the latest research into the possible threat of tsunami to the region.

Emergency Management staff members were also on-hand to provide information on what to do if a tsunami hit.

Peter says emergency services were a big hit, with appearances from Fire, St John's Ambulance, the Medical Centre, Coastguard and the Police.

'Having the Emergency Services there gave attendees an opportunity to better understand what could happen, and confirm their personal escape plans.”

The Open Day also gave participants the opportunity to make comment on how best to manage tsunami risk.

There were discussions about the type of community education to adopt and also about coastal land use planning such as restricting facilities locations like kindergartens or rest-homes.

Peter would like to thank New World Whangamata and Whangamata Hire Centre for donating a barbecue, gas and all consumable supplies for the event's free sausage sizzle.

For anyone who missed the open days you can still access information by going to www.tcdc.govt.nz/tsunami