Short answer. New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) asks every household to be able to stay at home for three days or more, with at least 9 litres of water per person 1. Warnings reach phones through Emergency Mobile Alert, with no sign-up 3. There are no public blast or fallout shelters; councils open Civil Defence Centres during an emergency 2. In an emergency, call 111 6.
Who is responsible for civil defence in New Zealand?
Civil defence is coordinated by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and by regional Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups 3. NEMA runs the Get Ready public preparedness campaign at getready.govt.nz 1. Its factsheets are also published in accessible formats such as large print 14. There is no single printed household booklet mailed to every home.
This page summarises the official New Zealand sources as checked on 20 October 2026. Each topic has its own page below.
What does each New Zealand page cover?
| Topic | What the official sources say | Page |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency supplies | Three days or more at home, at least 9 L of water per person, a grab bag for each person 1 | Emergency supplies |
| Official kit list | NEMA's home, grab bag, car and work lists, line by line 1 | Kit |
| Public shelters | No public blast or fallout shelters; Civil Defence Centres open during emergencies 2 | Public shelters |
| Alerts | Emergency Mobile Alert on phones; "Long or Strong, Get Gone" for tsunami; local sirens only 347 | Alerts |
| Iodine | No official public guidance on potassium iodide found; classification not confirmed 5 | Iodine |
| Building a shelter | No specific law or guidance for private shelters found | Build a shelter |
| Emergency numbers | 111 for Police, Fire and Ambulance; 105 for Police non-emergencies 6 | Emergency contacts |
What are the three things to do first?
- Store supplies for three days or more. Water (at least 9 litres per person), long-lasting food that needs no cooking, and what you need for an emergency toilet 1. See Emergency supplies.
- Know the warnings. Emergency Mobile Alert messages arrive with a loud sound on capable phones in the affected area; the instruction is to stop what you are doing and follow it 3. On the coast, a long or strong earthquake is itself the tsunami warning 4. See Alerts.
- Prepare a grab bag for each person. Walking shoes, warm clothes, water, snacks, a phone charger, cash and copies of important documents 1. See the kit list.
For a household plan that ties these together, see How do I make a family emergency plan?.
What does New Zealand not publish?
- No public network of blast or fallout shelters 2.
- No law or official guidance on private civil-protection shelters, and no technical standard for them.
- No official public guidance on potassium iodide was found; New Zealand has no nuclear power stations 5.
- No national siren network 7.
These gaps are stated on each page rather than filled with advice from other countries.
Frequently asked questions
How much water should a New Zealand household store?
At least 9 litres per person, for drinking and basic hygiene, enough for three days or more 1.
Do I need an app for emergency alerts in New Zealand?
No. Emergency Mobile Alert uses cell broadcast, needs no sign-up or app, and cannot be turned off 3.
Does New Zealand have nuclear shelters?
No public network of blast or fallout shelters is published. Councils open Civil Defence Centres for welfare support during an emergency 2.
What number do I call in an emergency?
111 for Police, Fire and Ambulance. For Police non-emergencies, use 105 6.
Sources
- National Emergency Management Agency (Get Ready) — Work out what supplies you need (large print, file aug26, produced 2022) — https://getready.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/documents/alternate-formats/large-print/docx/21-supplies-lp-en-aug26.docx (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Hawke's Bay Emergency Management (Hawke's Bay CDEM Group) — Civil Defence Centres — https://www.hbemergency.govt.nz/civil-defence-centres/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- National Emergency Management Agency (Get Ready) — Emergency Mobile Alert (factsheet, large print) — https://getready.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/documents/alternate-formats/large-print/docx/36-ema-factsheet-lp-en-sep22.docx (accessed 2026-10-20)
- National Emergency Management Agency (Civil Defence) — Long or Strong, Get Gone (earthquake/tsunami factsheet) — https://getready.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/documents/tsunami/long-strong-get-gone/long-strong-earthquake-fact-en-dec16.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Medsafe, Ministry of Health — Database of Medicine Classifications (search: iodine, iodide) — https://www.medsafe.govt.nz/profs/class/classintro.asp (accessed 2026-10-20)
- New Zealand Police — 111 Police Emergency — https://www.police.govt.nz/contact-us/111-police-emergency (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (now NEMA) — Tsunami Warning Sirens Technical Standard [TS 03/14] — https://www.civildefence.govt.nz/assets/Archive/Tsunami-Warning-Sirens-TS-03-14.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for New Zealand, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- National Emergency Management Agency (Get Ready) · Work out what supplies you need (large print, file aug26, produced 2022) checked 2026-10-20
- Hawke's Bay Emergency Management (Hawke's Bay CDEM Group) · Civil Defence Centres checked 2026-10-20
- National Emergency Management Agency (Get Ready) · Emergency Mobile Alert (factsheet, large print) checked 2026-10-20
- National Emergency Management Agency (Civil Defence) · Long or Strong, Get Gone (earthquake/tsunami factsheet) checked 2026-10-20
- Medsafe, Ministry of Health · Database of Medicine Classifications (search: iodine, iodide) checked 2026-10-20
- New Zealand Police · 111 Police Emergency checked 2026-10-20
- Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (now NEMA) · Tsunami Warning Sirens Technical Standard [TS 03/14] checked 2026-10-20