Communication

How information will flow in and out of Hāwea during an emergency

In a major event, mobile phones, landlines, and home internet may all be unavailable for hours, days, or longer. The Hāwea Community Resilience Group has multiple ways to keep information flowing between residents, the Wānaka Emergency Operations Centre, and emergency services — currently operating from the Lake Hāwea Community Centre.

Hāwea Flat Hall is the designated hub for Hāwea Flat, but no operational group is set up there yet. Hāwea Flat residents interested in being part of building this — please get in touch.

This page explains how communication will work, and how Hāwea households can help.

How HCRG communicates in an emergency

Communication is layered so that if one method fails, others continue working.

Internet via Starlink is the first layer. The Lake Hāwea Community Centre has Starlink installed, and the CRG holds portable Starlink Mini units at the Community Centre, ready to deploy as additional WiFi access points where they are most needed during an event — so residents don't all need to come to the hub to get online. Starlink works independently of local power and the fibre network.

VHF radio is the second layer. A VHF base station at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre can reach the Wānaka Emergency Operations Centre directly, regardless of whether mobile and internet networks are working. Two handheld VHF radios extend this link — one held at the Community Centre alongside the base station, and one at Hāwea Flat School so the CRG and the school can stay in contact when other networks are down.

HF radio is the third layer. In the event of a wider regional failure, a national network of volunteer HF radio operators (the Alpine Fault Net, run by HF Radio Charitable Trust) can pass messages between communities affected by major disasters.

Otago Gets Ready (the official two-way alert system run by Emergency Management Otago) is how official information will reach residents who are at home and have any working communication channel. Households should sign up to it — see the home page.

How Hāwea households can help

HCRG keeps registers of equipment and skills in the community. Registering means we can call on you in an emergency if needed.

If you have Starlink at home: register your location. In an emergency, neighbours may need internet access and we'll know where to direct them.

If you have a VHF radio: register so HCRG can coordinate communication across the area.

If you have a satellite phone or HF radio: register so we know who to contact.

VHF base station at the Lake Hāwea Community Centre, programmed onto the QLDC and Civil Defence Otago repeaters.

HF Radio — Alpine Fault Net

The Alpine Fault Net is a national volunteer programme that will pass messages by HF radio in the event of a major Alpine Fault earthquake, when other communications across the South Island may fail. The HF Radio Charitable Trust is recruiting volunteer operators in communities along the fault, including Hāwea.

If you have HF radio experience or are interested in becoming a volunteer operator, see hfradio.nz.

Last reviewed: May 2026.

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