Source: National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
New Zealanders know more and more about the hazards they live alongside – but the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)’s Annual Preparedness survey (attached) suggests they’re not taking steps to prepare themselves and their whānau.
NEMA’s annual survey monitors how prepared New Zealanders are for emergencies, and how they respond during and after an emergency event.
This year’s survey found that although 91% of New Zealanders thought it was quite or very important to be prepared for an emergency, only 40% had taken steps to prepare themselves or their household for an emergency in the past 12 months.
Despite this, 51% of respondents felt they were very or quite well prepared for an emergency (up from 46% in 2024), and 64% believe they know a lot or a fair amount about preparing for one (a 10% increase since 2022).
“When it comes to household preparedness, confidence levels may have increased, but the number of people taking the real steps to prepare themselves has stayed the same,” John Price, NEMA’s Director of Civil Defence Emergency Management, says.
“This gap between perception and action leaves many New Zealanders vulnerable during emergencies. Your safety is your responsibility, because there may not be a cavalry on the way when you need it.
“In an emergency, professional first responders like Police, Fire and Emergency and Civil Defence staff have to focus on rescues and helping the people who are most at risk – they can’t waste valuable time helping people who haven’t done their bit.
“If you haven’t prepared, you could be putting other people at risk. Being prepared will prevent harm to you and those you care about.”
NEMA has been surveying New Zealanders about emergency readiness since 2006, and the results show that preparedness increases by 10-15% after major events like the Canterbury quakes or Cyclone Gabrielle, but decreases after that.
“If you’re waiting for an emergency to happen before you start preparing for one, you’re working backwards,” Price says. “It can feel overwhelming at first, but creating a plan doesn’t have to happen all at once.
““Making a plan is easy, quick, costs nothing, and will make a huge difference in an emergency. Just ask some simple questions – like where to go, who needs our help, and who can help us.
“You can start small and build it up gradually – every step you take makes a difference for you and your community.”
John Price encouraged New Zealanders to join over 700,000 others in signing up to next week’s ShakeOut earthquake drill and tsunami hikoi – and to take the opportunity to make a plan for your household.
The survey also highlighted the role of public education campaigns, and how they prompt New Zealanders to take action. Nearly half of New Zealanders recall NEMA’s “Long Strong, Get Gone” advertising campaign, and 42% of those who saw it took action or spoke to someone about preparedness.
The “Flood Waters are Deep Trouble” campaign – heavily-targeted ads that run during severe weather events – also prompted action among 64% of those who saw it.
To learn more about how to prepare your household for an emergency, visit NEMA’s Get Ready site atgetready.govt.nz.
