The latest date for the testing of New Zealand's emergency mobile alert system has been announced.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it will take place on Sunday, May 26 between 6-7pm.
Director of emergency management John Price said the alert was one tool they could use to alert people when their life, health or property was in serious danger.
"The nationwide test is important to give us confidence that the system will perform as it should in an emergency. The test allows NEMA to check that the Emergency Mobile Alert system is working as it should and gives you a chance to check that your phone is receiving the alerts."
Alerts can be geotargeted to affected areas in the event of an emergency, he said.
"If you get an alert, you must stop and read the message, and take it seriously. It will tell you what the emergency is and what to do. It will also tell you which agency sent the message and, if needed, where to go for more information."
Around nine in ten people either received the alert or were near someone who did in previous tests.
Price said most phones can receive the alert and that a similar proportion is expected to receive it this year.
"I want to be clear that no form of technology is completely failsafe. Emergency Mobile Alert does not replace other alerting channels, like radio or social media, or the need to act on natural warning signs.
"Please act immediately if you feel your life is in danger. Don't wait for an alert, don't wait for an official warning - just get yourself to safety."
Those who do not want to receive Sunday's nationwide test alert should switch their mobile devices off between 6pm and 7pm.
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