Part of our responsibility as the Manawatū-Whanganui Civil Defence Emergency Management (MWCDEM) Group is to develop and review a Group Plan, which includes risk analysis to identify and rank hazards for our region.
View a map of regional natural hazards on the Horizons Regional Council website here.
Read more about each of the identified regional hazards and their potential impacts below.
Flooding
Flooding is the most commonly occurring major natural hazard in the region.
Flooding
Earthquakes
A number of active faults located in and around the region have the potential to cause significant impacts.
Earthquakes
Storms
Storms and cyclones can cause major damage through strong winds, heavy rain and more.
Storms
Volcanic Activity
The Manawatū-Whanganui Region encompasses portions of the central North Island volcanic plateau.
Volcanic Activity
Tsunami
Our region is exposed to tsunami risk on both the east and west coasts.
Tsunami
Drought
Extreme dry weather can have serious impacts to the region's agriculture and horticulture sectors.
Drought
Wildfires
Wildfires can occur anytime and are more likely following a large earthquake.
Wildfires
Animal Disease
As a key production output and economic driver of the region, the agricultural sector is susceptible to animal pests and disease.
Animal Disease
Human Pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated the impact a major communicable disease can have on the region.
Human Pandemic
Ētahi atu mōrearea Other Hazards
Find information on other hazards in the Manawatū-Whanganui Region, including coastal hazards, landslides, hazardous substances, transport incidents, and lifeline failures.