- Can’t get home? Pick two safe places you could stay and who you’d go with
- Are you stuck at home? Be ready to last 3 days with food, water, meds, and pet supplies
- Need to leave fast? Know where you’ll go, what you’ll grab, and who might need your help
Easter marks the end of daylight saving, and whether you’re on the road or staying home because of the fuel squeeze, it’s the perfect time to check your emergency plan. Every year when the clocks go back or forward, Aucklanders are encouraged to take a few minutes to review what they’d do in an emergency - from where to stay if you can’t get home, to how to manage at home if power or water goes out.
Because emergencies don’t wait for a convenient moment.
Auckland Emergency Management is encouraging people to use their Easter journeys or their time at home as a chance to have a conversation that could make all the difference when it matters most.
“Is there ever a good time to think about an emergency plan? Maybe there is,” says Auckland Emergency Management General Manager Adam Maggs.
“Your household is together, hopefully having some quality time – so it’s the perfect opportunity to talk through a few ‘what ifs’ and make sure everyone knows what to do.”
Maggs says the start and end of daylight saving is a useful biannual reminder.
“Every year when we adjust the clocks for daylight saving, we’d love Aucklanders to take a few minutes to check their emergency plan - just like you’d check the batteries in a smoke alarm.”
The key is to keep it simple. Start with three common scenarios and build your plan from there.
1. What if you can’t get home?
In a major emergency, roads can close, public transport may stop running, and familiar routes might not be an option. Emergency shelters can quickly fill up or may be difficult to get to.
“If you can’t get home, where would you go instead? Could you stay with friends, whānau, or even workmates closer to where you are?” says Maggs.
Think about two places you could go – a primary and a backup and make sure everyone in your household knows them because Wi-Fi and cellular networks may be down. It’s also worth talking about who might pick up children from school or daycare if you’re delayed.
2. What if you’re stuck at home?
Sometimes the safest place to be is right where you are but that could mean being without power, water, or access to shops for three days or more.
“Understanding what staying put for three days might feel like helps you prepare,” says Maggs.
“Do you have enough food and water? What about medications, or supplies for pets?”
A household plan doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s about knowing what you already have, what you might need, and making sure everyone knows where to find it, even in the dark.
3. What if you have to leave in a hurry?
In some situations, you may need to evacuate quickly.
“If your street is impacted, where will you go? What will you take with you? And what about your pets or neighbours who might need a hand?” says Maggs.
Having a plan helps avoid additional last-minute stress and ensures everyone can act quickly and safely.
At its core, emergency planning is about conversation. Talk with the people you live with whether that’s family, flat mates, or extended whānau and make sure your plan lines up with workplaces, schools, and other places you spend time.
“Emergencies can be stressful and unpredictable, but having a plan makes a huge difference,” says Maggs. “It means you can focus on what matters most, keeping yourself and the people around you safe.”
So, this Easter, whether you’re cosying up at home or somewhere between the traffic jams and snack stops, take a few minutes to ask the question: what’s our plan?
It might just be the most important road trip conversation you have.
For more information visit the Auckland Emergency Management website.