A planned tsunami siren test scheduled for 11am on Sunday morning did not go ahead, and the Christchurch City Council is now investigating why it failed.

A council spokesperson said the test would be rescheduled, and residents would be informed once a new date was confirmed.

“We’ll be updating our Council communication channels – Newsline and Facebook – once we have confirmed the date for the test,” the spokesperson said.

They said while the siren was one method of alerting residents to a tsunami threat, emergency mobile alerts would also be sent out in the event of an actual emergency.

“It is also important to recognise the natural warning signs and act quickly,” the spokesperson said.

“Remember, long or strong – get gone. If you are near the coast and experience a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand, or a weak rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more, see a sudden rise or fall in water level, or hear loud and unusual noises from the water – move immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can, out of tsunami evacuation zones.

“Do not wait for official warnings.”