The Hawke's Bay earthquake still ranks as New Zealand’s worst civil disaster. More than 250 people died following the 7.8 magnitude quake on 3 February 1931. Director Gaylene Preston (miniseries Hope and Wire) gathered eyewitness accounts from survivors, including kuia Hana Lyola Cotter, who has never forgotten joining the rescue effort as a teen. The documentary also includes eye-opening newsreel footage of the damage. Earthquake! was nominated for Best Popular Documentary at the 2006 Qantas Television Awards; the sound team took away gongs at that year's NZ Screen Awards.