Following on from last week's earthquake and Hurricane Irene along the East Coast, the New Zealand Embassy encourages all Kiwis to register their contact details on www.safetravel.govt.nz.

Safetravel is the official source of advice for New Zealanders travelling or living overseas.

Registering online allows us to contact you if there is an unforeseen crisis, or if you have a family emergency while overseas. Where we have needed to contact Kiwis who are thought to be in an area affected by a hurricane, major earthquake, etc - those who have registered their details have often been contacted first.

Registration information is kept confidential, and is used only for the consular purposes for which it is collected. Email addresses and personal information will not be sold or passed to third parties. All information provided is protected by the Privacy Act 1993.

Remember, if you haven't registered on www.safetravel.govt.nz, we don't know where you are.

For consular advice or assistance at any time call the New Zealand Embassy in Washington or Consulate General in New York and ask to speak to the Consular Officer.