Major changes to Auckland's emergency systems could make tsunami sirens a relic of history.

The North Shore telephone warning system could also be scrapped in favour of text alerts and mobile apps.

Auckland has 15 fixed tsunami sirens at northern and western beaches.

But the Auckland Civil Defence group says they're expensive to run and often fail due to corrosion.

Japan's 2011 quake also showed they can distract people from natural warning signs, and failed under the kinds of earthquakes which cause tsunamis in the first place.

An Auckland Council committee will vote on the proposal to move to other options, like a citywide text alert and a fixed helicopter speaker.