How to Get Ready

Emergencies can happen anytime, anywhere. Will you and your whānau be ready?

Everyone is part of the response

While our local emergency management professionals and teams will help if a disaster happens, everyone should be prepared to look after themselves and their community. This means you'll have resources if you need to rely on yourself for some of the time.

It's up to you to make sure you and the people you care about are ready. The good news is there are plenty of resources on how to make a plan and get prepared.

Getting started

Know your neighbours

People with good relationships with their neighbours recover much more quickly from a serious event. You could:

Organise a street barbecue
Welcome new neighbours when they move in
Offer support at times of extra need.

Make a plan

Plan how you will connect with your family
Pre-arrange meeting places, if you're not at home when an emergency happens
Outline where you will go if you have to evacuate.

Get your household ready - getready.govt.nz

Tailor your plan

Every household has different needs:

Babies and young children - make sure you have extra supplies for your baby
Pets and other animals - microchip, plan how to evacuate them, and have enough supplies
Disabled, elderly or less mobile people - how will you navigate an emergency scenario?

Store extra supplies

Drinking water for at least 3 days
Long lasting food that doesn't need cooking
Toilet paper and plastic buckets
PPE and first aid supplies.

Keep a grab bag with supplies at home, at work and in the car.

Organise a grab bag

Walking shoes, warm clothes and rain wear
Water and non-perishable food (including for babies or pets)
Hand sanitiser, first aid or medications
Portable phone charger
Cash and important documents/identification.

Know your risks

Plan for specific emergency scenarios, like flooding, earthquakes and landslides
Prepare your house ahead of severe weather
Know the warning signs for various disaster risks.

Make your home safe

Know where and how to turn off your gas valve, power and water mains
Fix or fasten - secure heavy items of furniture
Check your home insurance.

Stay up to date

Make sure your phone is capable of getting Emergency Mobile Alerts
Keep your phone charged and portable chargers handy
Check for updates on Council social media, local Civil Defence pages, or on the radio.

Get ready at work

If you run a business, you have an obligation to be prepared for an emergency. Here's how you can plan:

Identify the risks to your business, like natural hazards, health emergencies and utility failures
Make sure your emergency procedures are up to date for these risks
Map out assembly points, wardens and first aid training
Keep essential items at work, like sturdy walking shoes, waterproof clothing, a torch, food and water
Talk to your staff and identify if anyone has special requirements, like disabled people or those with visual or auditory impairments.

Remember that in an emergency, you have a duty of care to empoyees - make sure you have enough supplies for everyone if they are stuck onsite for three days.

Read more about becoming a resilient business

Get ready at school

At preschool/early childcare centres

Talk to children about earthquakes and teach them "Turtle Safe" to help reduce fear and anxiety.

For parents

Make sure your school has a list of 3 other people that can pick up your child if you can't
Pack a grab bag for your children in case you have to pick them up in a hurry

For teachers

Schools play a large part in keeping communities safe. Know your school's responsibilities:

Have an emergency management plan for all hazards you might face
Teach emergency preparedness with your children.

For students

What's the Plan Stan? is a free resource to help support schools, teachers and students prepare for emergency events. Learn about emergencies and how to prepare.

Visit What's the Plan Stan

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