WELLINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government will hold the ShakeOut 2018 earthquake and tsunami drill on Oct. 18, with half a million participants signing up so far.

Minister of Civil Defence Kris Faafoi visited Wellington Zoo on Monday to congratulate them on being the 500,000th signup.

"Wellington Zoo has over 250,000 people through its door each year so it's great to see the amazing preparedness plans they have in place to accommodate their guests, staff and animals," Faafoi said, adding he hopes that all community organizations, workplaces and households use ShakeOut as a reminder to check their preparedness plans and emergency supplies.

"All of New Zealand is at risk of earthquakes and our coastlines of tsunami," the minister said while calling for more people to get involved in the ShakeOut drill.