Fire and Emergency New Zealand national communications centres manager Gavin Travers said this was so they had complete control over their resources and equipment. Residents staying in Waihī Beach when the fault triggered the tsunami sirens in 2020 said the lack of information was confusing and upsetting for people. Hamilton resident Rebecca Pennell was evacuated from the Beachaven Top 10 Holiday Park in Waihī Beach when the siren went off and said at the time that people were upset and confused as they had not had any official alert through their phones. Office staff came running out and told them everybody had to evacuate. Pennell said they left without locking their cabin and rushed into Waihī to the RSA, which they thought was the highest point.