It says something about those charged with finding a solution to Tauranga's tsunami problems that a high school student may have beaten them to the punch.
In fairness though, Te Puke High School student Scott Callaghan is no ordinary student.
The Bay of Plenty Times yesterday revealed the 16-year-old has patented plans for a type of wireless home alarm system covering emergencies, such as tsunamis, floods and more.
He is now working with an electronics and software company to develop the product. They believe his solution could have global appeal especially for low-lying Pacific Island nations grappling with the twin influences of natural events and climate change.
The new system would run on the mobile phone network with data set aside to ensure the messages have a higher priority, as 111 calls do.