Make an emergency plan so your holiday plans don’t go to #*!%

A Kiwi summer can go wrong in so many ways. An undercooked Christmas turkey. A structurally-unsound pavlova. Inconsistently-applied sunscreen on a scorching day.

But one way your summer can really go to #*!% is if an emergency happens and you’re in holiday mode – unprepared and away from home.

NEMA’s annual “Get Summer Ready” campaign reminds everyone to create an emergency plan this summer. Director Emergency Management John Price says that while the summer break will hopefully be a time of relaxation, emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere, and it’s important to be prepared.

“We need to plan for the worst while focusing on the best. If you’re going away, make sure you pack essential supplies in case an emergency happens, and if you’re staying near the coast, check if you’re in a tsunami evacuation zone. Being prepared for anything is the greatest gift you can give yourself and your whānau.

“It’s surprisingly easy to plan for an emergency, You don’t need more than a few minutes to think, talk and practice.”

John Price says that whether you’re taking a road trip, at the beach, or in the bush, NEMA recommends adding a few simple steps to your summer to-do list to help keep you safe this summer.

If you’re taking a road trip:

Know your route – Check the NZTA journey planner for road conditions, and if you’re driving near the coast, be aware of the tsunami evacuation zones you’re driving into before you go.
Pack for emergencies – Summer traffic and severe weather can leave you stranded. Have some food, water, medication, warm blankets, and a phone charger handy in case this happens.

If you’re at the beach:

Own your zone – Learn about what tsunami zones you’re entering, and what evacuation route you should take to leave them.
If it’s long or strong, get gone - If an earthquake lasts longer than a minute or is so strong you can’t stand up, move immediately to high ground or inland. Don’t wait for an official warning to do so.

If you’re hiking in the bush:

Let friends or whānau know where you’re going and when you’ll return.
Pack a grab bag with emergency water, a first aid kit, and a way to communicate (ideally a satellite device in case there’s no coverage where you are).
Prepare for fires – Use Fire and Emergency NZ’s “Check It’s Alright” tool before lighting any fires and be sure to follow all fire restrictions.

Even if you just plan to have a quiet one at home this summer, NEMA still recommends that you:

Have a prep talk with your whānau about what you’ll do in an emergency so that everybody knows the plan.
Pack a grab bag with enough water, food, medication and other essentials for everyone in your household.
Stay informed by checking MetService for weather alerts before leaving the house, follow your local Civil Defence group on Facebook for localised emergency information, and knowing what local radio stations relay emergency information when other communication methods are unavailable.

For more detailed advice from NEMA about how to be prepared for anything this summer, visit www.getready.govt.nz/summer.

Published: Dec 19, 2025, 10:06 AM