Be prepared

Be prepared to cope on your own for up to 3 days or more

Have an emergency household plan
Download a household emergency plan checklist                                        

Survival plan checklist - you need:

• Enough food in your home to last 3 days.
• To know where to get water, if your normal supply is unavailable.  Store some water if a warning is issued, fill containers immediately after a large earthquake.
• Alternative lighting.  A torch with spare batteries, gas lantern or light sticks.  Tip - store some batteries sealed in a bag in the fridge.  Don't use candles -  they're not safe. 
• A battery operated radio and spare batteries.  Don't forget your car radio as a last resort.
• A first aid kit and manual.  Make sure you have your essential medication. 
• Alternative heating, blankets, survival blankets or warm waterproof clothing.
• Alternative cooking methods, barbecue or gas cooker.
• Important family documents stored where you can get them easily during an emergency.
• A first aid kit and fire extinguisher in your car.
• A workplace survival plan.

During an emergency you need to listen to the radio for instructions

We will broadcast over these stations during an emergency: 

• 1314 AM Radio NZ
• 101.3 FM Radio NZ
• 945 kHz AM - Talkback ZB
• 585 kHz AM - Radio Ngati Porou
• 90.9 FM - ZGFM
• 98.1 FM - Radio Ngati Porou
• 98.9 FM - More FM
• 94.8 FM - Radio Live
• 91.7 FM - Turanga FM
• 88.5 FM - Uawa

Only use the phone in emergencies. Also:

• Look out for your neighbours and elderly folk.
• Know how to turn off your power, water and gas.
• Look at the last yellow page in the centre of your phone book for your community emergency centre.
• Know what the threats are - and what they will do to you.
• Don't go sightseeing.
• Plan how you will survive without power, phone, food, water and the emergency services.
• Know what you will take if you have to evacuate.