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 your household or business plan before you need it. These sites provide useful information and templates:
Activate your household or business plan.
Listen to your radio and check the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence website regularly for the latest information.
GNS Science and the Tasman District and Nelson City councils have developed a series of tsunami evacuation maps.
There are three evacuation zones shown on the maps:
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.
Sheets of PVC are a practical way to create a waterproof barrier around doors, provided they are fixed in place adequately.
Sandbags can typically be purchased from landscape, building and hardware suppliers.
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:
You will have access to this information even without cell or internet connection.
To install the app onto your device use the links below or search the applicable store for 'Red Cross Hazard'.
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.
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 on the Fire and Emergency website
(for general inquiries about civil defence)
Office hours phone: 03 543 7290
After hours phone: 03 543 8400 or 03 546 0200
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
Links to information on wastewater systems
Read more about onsite wastewater systems on the Level.org.nz website
Download Maintenance Guidelines For Homeowners from Waternz.org.nz
Detergents for use in onsite wastewater systems
Read advice on detergent use from the Lanfaxlabs website
Emergency event toilets
Ministry of Health guidelines on making a temporary toilet or long drop
Composting toilets
Read about compost toilet guidelines on the Onsitenewz website
