What is a hazard?

A hazard is something with the potential to harm us or cause damage to things that are important to us. Hazards and are generally split up into two kinds: natural and human-made.

Natural hazards

Natural hazards are created when extreme natural events occur, or may occur, where humans live, work and play. Natural hazards include earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, meteorological hazards (wind, rain, snow, hail, drought), coastal hazards (erosion and inundation), wildfire and volcanic hazards.

Human-made hazards

Human-made hazards, sometimes called technological hazards, are caused by human activity. The most likely human-made hazards to affect the Wellington Region are spills, fires or accidents involving hazardous substances (chemicals) or petroleum.

We could also be affected by a pandemic, such as influenza, affecting the region's ability to function normally with people sick, unable to work and maybe even unable to travel.

Hazards may be limited to a small area or their effects may be widespread. Some hazards may be small but occur quite often, like isolated landslides. Other hazards happen only occasionally but have a high impact, such as large earthquakes. We don t always know exactly when or how hazard events may happen but we know that:

• hazard events do and will continue to occur

• the effects of hazard events are likely to be greater if people are not prepared for them

• good ideas and intentions are not enough - we all need to be active in reducing our risk and getting prepared!