Annual test of Emergency Mobile Alert system is taking place next Sunday

The nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system will take place between 6 and 7 pm on Sunday 22 May 2022. An alert will be broadcast to all capable phones.

The test of Emergency Mobile Alert allows us to evaluate the system, cell towers, and the ability for mobile phones to receive the alert. The test also helps to familiarise the public with what an Emergency Mobile Alert looks like and how their phone presents the message.

As the Emergency Mobile Alert system has been used a number of times this year for local and national emergencies, including nationwide alerts for the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent nationwide test was on the evening of 24 November 2019. In consideration of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 nationwide tests were cancelled.

The results from last 2019’s nationwide test showed that more than two-thirds of New Zealanders received the test alert.