Nationwide test of Emergency Mobile Alert

The nationwide test of the Emergency Mobile Alert system is a necessary part of making sure the system works well.

The last nationwide test was on 25 May 2025.

Find results and information about nationwide tests.

The nationwide test is a necessary part of making sure the Emergency Mobile Alert system works well.

The nationwide test is sent to cell towers all over New Zealand. We expect most phones are capable of receiving the alert. Our 2025 emergency preparedness survey showed that 92% of people received the test or were with someone who did.

In the last six years, we received thousands of feedback submissions from people. These helped us improve the Emergency Mobile Alert system.

The most recent nationwide test was on the evening of 25 May 2025. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 and 2021 nationwide tests of the Emergency Mobile Alert system were cancelled.

Independent survey results of the nationwide test

After both the 2018 and 2019 nationwide tests, the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management commissioned an independent survey.

The surveys looked at:

the proportion of the population who received the test alert,
prior awareness, and
public perceptions.

After the 2021 and 2022 test, the National Emergency Management Agency included questions in the Annual Disaster Preparedness survey to measure the success of the Emergency Mobile Alert test.

Since the 2018 survey, all key measures have improved. Nine out of ten people receive an alert or are near someone who does.

In 2025 the survey showed:

81% believe that Emergency Mobile Alert is an effective way of alerting New Zealanders of an emergency.
81% believe people should not be able to opt-out.