NZers unprepared for disaster - survey

Most New Zealanders are still not prepared to cope with a disaster, despite a recent spate of slips, floods, and earthquakes, according to a survey.

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management annually quizzes households about how prepared they are, and says recent events have highlighted the importance of being ready.

"In the last few weeks Waihi village was evacuated because of a threatened landslide, Wellington rail and road links were closed by slips, tornadoes struck Kaitaia and Opunake, heavy rain caused flooding in Gisborne and a large earthquake, followed by aftershocks, occurred in Fiordland," it said in a statement today.

Ministry director John Hamilton said being prepared meant having emergency items and water to last at least three days and an up-to-date emergency plan in case access to utilities and emergency services was cut off.

The survey found that just one in 10 were fully prepared for a disaster, with very few young people prepared.

The survey found that 73 per cent of those questioned knew what they needed to do to prepare for a disaster.

Forty per cent had taken some steps in the last year to prepare, 23 per cent were well prepared at home, but only 10 per cent were prepared at home and work.

"This shows more people are thinking about what they should do in a disaster and are talking more to family and friends about preparing, but they also show we need to do more to actually be prepared," Mr Hamilton said.

- NZPA