Get information in an emergency or disaster

In New Zealand, emergency management and preparedness is often called ‘civil defence’. Civil defence and emergency management organisations provide information during an emergency or disaster.

Call 111 if you’re in an emergency.

Even if you cannot decide whether your situation is an emergency — do not wait, call 111.

Accessible options for 111

Local civil defence and emergency management

Local Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) groups are made up of councils and territorial authorities. They’re responsible for providing civil defence information for their local areas.

Find your local civil defence group

National civil defence and emergency management

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is the government's lead agency for emergency management.

NEMA works with local authorities, iwi, communities, businesses and other agencies to reduce risk, prepare for emergencies, coordinate responses and support recovery. Depending on the event, it may either lead the response or support another lead agency.

Get information

During an emergency, you will get up-to-date information about what’s happening and what you should do on:

  • the radio
  • television news
  • civil defence websites and social media.

Civil defence websites and social media

  • Civil Defence website — emergency status updates, links to other resources, and information for the public and the civil defence sector.
  • Civil Defence on Facebook — official civil defence information and advice on how to be better prepared for disasters.
  • Get Ready — New Zealand’s hazards and what to do before, during and after an emergency.
  • What’s the Plan, Stan? — resource for schools and teachers.
  • @NZCivilDefence on X — emergency and disaster updates.
  • @NZCDEM on X — information and resources for people working in the civil defence sector.

Other useful websites and social media

GeoNet

Scientific information about seismic activity in New Zealand.

MetService

Weather forecasts, warnings and reports for the whole of New Zealand.

Who to contact for more help

If you need more help or have questions about the information or services on this page, contact the following agency.

Utility links and page information

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