Emergency and disaster preparedness

Radio

If the power goes out, a solar or battery-powered radio (or your car radio) can help you keep up to date with the latest news. In an emergency, tune to these stations:

• Radio New Zealand
• The Hits
• NewstalkZB
• MoreFM
• Radio Live

Online

For local updates, our council and local Civil Defence Emergency Management websites and social media have the information we need to keep safe.

Know your neighbours

There’s strength in numbers. In an emergency, you can work with your neighbours to get through. Neighbourhood Support groups bring local people together to create safe, supportive and connected communities.

Before an event occurs, join Neighbourhood Support at neighbourhoodsupport.co.nz(external link) or call 0800 463 444.

Emergency mobile alert

If our phones are able to receive them, authorised agencies like Civil Defence can send Emergency Mobile Alerts. They can be targeted to areas affected by serious hazards.

A phone just needs to be on, capable and inside the targeted area to get the alerts. No apps or subscriptions are needed, all we need to do is keep our phones updated.

Emergency Mobile Alerts are an additional channel to help keep people safe if there is an emergency. They don’t replace other emergency alerts. If you feel your life is in danger, don’t wait for an official warning. Take immediate action.

Find out more at www.civildefence.govt.nz(external link)

Make a plan

In New Zealand, emergencies can happen anywhere, any time, and without warning. When they do, Civil Defence and emergency services will be busy helping people who need them most.

Floods, storms, severe weather, earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunami and landslides can disrupt our lives, damage property and cause serious harm.

The good news is, it’s easy to make sure you, and the people you care about, are ready to get through.

Have a chat with your family and friends, and work out what you’ll do in these situations:

• Stuck at home
• Can’t get home
• Have to evacuate
• No power
• No water
• No phone or internet

A good plan covers what we need if we’re stuck at home, where to meet if we can’t get home, where we’ll go if we have to leave home in a hurry. Getting to know our neighbours is really important, and can help a community work out who can help us, and who might need our help.

Find out more and make a plan at www.happens.nz(external link)