WELLINGTON, Oct. 13 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand ShakeOut, the national earthquake drill and tsunami hikoi (walk), will take place on Thursday, Oct. 18 at 9:30 a.m. local time, a statement of the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management said on Saturday.

"All of New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes and all of our coastline is at risk of tsunami. We can't predict when one will happen, but we can protect ourselves and our family," the statement said.

The ministry encouraged all early childhood centers, schools, tertiary organizations to sign up, hold a Drop, Cover and Hold drill, and plan a tsunami hikoi if they are in a tsunami zone. Families, individuals, businesses and other organizations can take part too, it said.

"Drop, Cover and Hold is the right action to take during an earthquake. It stops you being knocked over, makes you a smaller target for falling and flying objects and protects your head, neck and vital organs," the statement said.

New Zealand ShakeOut was first held in 2012, and then again in 2015.