Civil defence

Home » My Region » Civil defence

Get ready for an emergency

You need to prepare for our most likely emergencies, such as floods, fires, earthquakes, pandemics and tsunamis, power outages and more.

In an emergency visit http://nelsontasmancivildefence.co.nz(external link)

Make a plan today

Make your household or business plan before you need it. These sites provide useful information and templates:

What to do in an emergency

Activate your household or business plan.

What to do in an emergency

If you or someone else are in immediate danger phone 111

Listen to your radio and check the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence website regularly for the latest information.

Visit the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence website

General cautions

Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly, and surface flooding and slips are also possible.
Driving conditions may be hazardous.
Swimming in the sea and rivers may also pose health hazards.
Please stay up to date with forecasts at the MetService website.

Tsunami evacuation maps

View Maps

GNS Science and the Tasman District and Nelson City councils have developed a series of tsunami evacuation maps.

View the Interactive Maps.
The maps are also available for download.
For current tsunami alerts visit civildefence.govt.nz

What the maps show

There are three evacuation zones shown on the maps:

Red Zone

Small more frequent tsunami that are essentially a beach and nearshore hazard.
The Red Zone is also the area of greatest impact in a larger tsunami.

Orange Zone

Large distant source tsunami.
Due to the relatively long travel time, official warning of such a tsunami approaching can be expected.

Yellow Zone

Large, but very infrequent, local sourced tsunami.
Because of the short travel time, it is unlikely that there will be an official warning.
The public will need to self-evacuate based on natural warnings (see below for what this means).

Further information:

Check out the Frequently Asked Questions

Sandbags

Sandbags are useful for addressing localised flooding (for example, to stop water flowing under a garage door or diverting water downhill), but they don't protect against water coming from under a house and through floorboards.

Residents and businesses are responsible for providing their own sandbags in preparation for a storm event.

If a property is regularly subjected to flooding, then it is the property owner's responsibility to be proactive and take such precautions to protect themselves and their property.

During storm events and flooding, maintenance crews employed by the Council are focussed on maintaining the function and safety of key infrastructure such as roads, stormwater, water and sewerage.

Available resources are typically limited during these times, so crews will be prioritised to where they can provide the greatest effect.

Please remember - if you are in danger or your property is under immediate threat during a storm event, please contact emergency services on 111.

Alternative solution

Sheets of PVC are a practical way to create a waterproof barrier around doors, provided they are fixed in place adequately.

Purchasing sandbags

Sandbags can typically be purchased from landscape, building and hardware suppliers.

Tips for using sandbags

Sandbags are not waterproof and are best used for directing water flow rather than keeping property dry.
Keep sandbags dry and separate from sand (or soil) until needed. Do not store sandbags pre-filled, as they will begin to rot when put into storage filled with damp sand.
You should generally fill and place your sandbags before a weather event, not during. Sandbags take time and effort to fill and place.
Filled sandbags are very heavy. They generally only need to be half-full as this allows for easier and better placement.
Stack them like bricks, overlapping.

Get the Red Cross Hazard app

The Red Cross Hazard App is a free tool to help you and your family prepare and respond to hazards.

The app provides information about:

preparing an emergency response kit and plan;
what to do during an emergency;
hazards; and
recovering after an event.

You will have access to this information even without cell or internet connection.

Read more on the Hazard App website.

Installation

To install the app onto your device use the links below or search the applicable store for 'Red Cross Hazard'.

Rural fire control and fire permits

Fire and Emergency New Zealand supports Volunteer Rural Fire forces in the Tasman District. These forces respond to local emergencies and issue permits to burn fires in the open.

These forces are located at Appleby, Brightwater, Lake Rotoiti, Ngatimoti, Upper Tākaka, Wainui Bay and Motueka.

Fire permits

Permits to burn in the open are required in rural areas throughout the year within the Tasman District. Fire restrictions are in force all year. Permits are generally needed for all outdoor fires except enclosed incinerators and barbecues.

Apply for a fire permit online

Apply on the Fire and Emergency website

Nelson Tasman Emergency Management office

(for general inquiries about civil defence)

Office hours phone: 03 543 7290
After hours phone: 03 543 8400 or 03 546 0200

About Nelson-Tasman Civil Defence and Emergency Management

We play an important role in response and recovery during natural disasters. We also support rural firefighters and other emergency services and government agencies if required.

Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council deliver civil defence on a joint basis as the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group.

The vision of the CDEM Group is to build “A resilient Nelson Tasman community”.

Other council staff are heavily involved in preparing for and responding to civil defence events. For example, the council monitors river flows and rainfall, and has a major role in welfare, logistics, planning, public information and emergency management