Emergency preparedness
Take steps now to help reduce the effect of an emergency or disaster on you and your family.
Everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand should have an emergency plan, basic first aid skills and survival items (e.g. food, water and medication) to last a minimum of three days. Knowing your local evacuation arrangements is important during an emergency. The emergency preparedness guides below can help you get ready for an emergency.
Get ready at home, at school and at work. Download Civil Defence's guides and plans to ensure you are safe should disaster strike.
Check your local risks and find out about specific hazards.
Get ready at home
In an emergency you could be stuck at home for three days or more. Make a plan to work out what you will need to get your family through.
Make a Plan (PDF)Get ready at work
In an emergency you could be stuck at work, without transport home. Work through this personal workplace emergency plan to work out what you will do.
Workplace Emergency Plan (PDF)Get ready at school
What’s the Plan Stan has been developed for schools to teach students about hazards and how to prepare for an emergency.
Kia Pakari: Schools' Resilience Programme was designed by New Zealand Red Cross for educators to empower young people to build resilience in school communities across Aotearoa New Zealand. In the programme students explore resilience in their lives, school and communities. Visit the Kia Pakari web page for more information on the programme. Download the Kia Pakari Complete Resource Set.
For people with disabilities
If you, or a member of your household or community has a disability or any special requirement that may affect the ability to cope in a disaster, make arrangements now to get the support needed.
Visit www.getthru.govt.nz.
Translated resources
Download the translated WREMO Earthquake Preparedness Guides or the translated earthquake and tsunami fact sheets.
Other useful links for migrant communities:
- Including culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in each aspect of emergency management will help to enhance their resilience to emergencies
- A New Guiding Framework for Engaging Diverse Populations in Disaster Risk Reduction
- Engaging with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Communities in Times of Disaster
- Auckland Emergency Management Resources in Chinese Language
- Information for refugees settling in New Zealand
- Refugee resettlement, social media and the social organization of difference.
Be good and ready
New Zealand Red Cross encourages you to take these simple steps today to be good and ready for future disasters: connect, care, prepare. Find out how here.
Download our Hazard app to help you and your family prepare for and respond to hazards in New Zealand, like earthquakes, cyclones and more.
