An earthquake authority aims to have a million Kiwis join in to drop, cover and hold as part of a nationwide drill later this year.
The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management will on Thursday begin a campaign encouraging New Zealanders to take part in the September 26 ShakeOut event and teach people how to prepare for an earthquake.
Another reason for the campaign, a statement from the ministry says, is to address incorrect reports about what you should be doing.
If you're inside during a tremor, you should walk no more than a few steps before dropping to the floor, getting under something solid and holding on tight.
A ministry spokesman told NZ Newswire that you're better off to drop to the floor because research has found that you're likely to be thrown to the ground and injured if you don't.
Researchers from the ministry watched CCTV footage taken during the February 2011 earthquake in Christchurch which killed 185 people, to determine how people reacted when an earthquake hit and what you're best to do.
They found that people who tried to flee buildings during or immediately after an earthquake were more likely to get hurt than those who stayed put.
The ministry is asking those who want to join the September 26 event to register on their website.
NZN