'It is a concern': NZers feel unprepared for disaster, survey finds

Only two in five New Zealanders feel they are well prepared for a disaster, according to a NEMA survey.

That's the finding of an independent survey commissioned by the National Emergency Management Agency, which it says many people should take steps now or risk leaving their preparations too late.

Emergency Management Minister Kieran McAnulty told Morning Report the results of the survey were concerning.

"It is a concern that [there's] not as many as people as we would like that are prepared but what is encouraging is that most people understand what they need to do, so that's a start."

"There are a lot of things that can happen: earthquakes, floods, landslides, storms, tsunamis or even volcanic activity and we need to get ready for that if we can."

The best thing people could do to be prepared was to make sure they had enough provisions to last three days.

This includes having nine litres of water per person along with long lasting food that doesn't need to be cooked, McAnulty said.

"If you're like many people and you've got a gas cooker available be it a camp stove or a barbecue that gives you few more options."

Setting aside a serving of dinner each night and putting it in the freezer was an easy way to ensure there was enough food to cook up if disaster struck, he said.

"It's about the initial three days in the first instance while emergency services are dealing with those in most need so you can help yourselves and your family or even those you live with like your flatmates to get through that period."

McAnulty said the survey results were "incredibly useful" to inform government and its departments around what was needed to ensure people were informed on how they could be prepared in case of disaster.

It also reminded people who may have thought they were prepared to double check if their emergency supplies were sufficient, he said.

The rising cost of living and the Covid-19 pandemic had reduced the population's emergency preparedness, he said.

"The cost of living and of course Covid has taken people's awareness of getting prepared to other things.

"We saw after the Christchurch and Kaikoura earthquakes that the level of preparedness was quite high but obviously when there is a strain on the household budget it does seem quite a daunting thing."

Other emergency supplies that people may not have stockpiled include toilet paper, large buckets to use as toilets if needed and work gloves in case there was a need to do things in hazardous environments.

McAnulty urged people to visit the [www.getready.govt.nz Get Ready website] for more information on being prepared for emergencies.