Short answer. New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) lists supplies for staying at home three days or more: at least 9 litres of water per person, food that needs no cooking, an emergency toilet, gloves and a P2 or N95 mask, cash, a first aid kit, torch, radio and batteries. It adds one grab bag per person, plus car and work supplies 1.
What is on the official New Zealand home list?
Every line below comes from NEMA's Get Ready factsheet "Work out what supplies you need" 1. Quantities are NEMA's own; "not specified" means it gives none.
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Water (drinking and basic hygiene) | at least 9 litres per person (for three days or more) |
| Long-lasting food that doesn't need cooking (unless you have a camping stove or gas barbecue), plus food for babies and pets | three days or more |
| Toilet paper and large plastic buckets for an emergency toilet | watertight containers of about 15-20 litres with a snug-fitting cover |
| Household disinfectant (such as chlorine bleach) for the emergency toilet; dirt and dry materials if none | a small amount after each use |
| Work gloves and a properly fitted P2 or N95 mask | not specified |
| Food, equipment or medication for dietary or medical needs | enough to last three days at home |
| Cash (coins and small notes), in case EFTPOS and ATMs are down | not specified |
| First aid kit, torch, radio and batteries | kept where you can grab them in a hurry |
What goes in each grab bag?
NEMA asks for one grab bag per person 1.
| Item | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Walking shoes, warm clothes, raincoat and hat | one grab bag per person |
| Water and snack food (babies and pets too) | not specified |
| Hand sanitiser | not specified |
| Portable phone charger | not specified |
| Cash (coins and small notes) | not specified |
| Copies of important documents and photo ID | not specified |
What should I keep in the car and at work?
| Where | Items 1 |
|---|---|
| Car | walking shoes, waterproof jacket, essential medicines, snack food, water, phone charger lead, torch |
| Car, extreme winter driving | brush, shovel, tyre chains, windscreen scrapers, warm clothing |
| Work | sturdy walking shoes, waterproof jacket, torch, snack food and water |
How long should the kit last?
Three days or more. NEMA's reason: "In an emergency, you may be stuck at home for three days or more" 1. Context for each item is on the New Zealand emergency supplies page.
How do I adapt the list to my household?
The official list already names babies, pets and people with dietary or medical needs 1. For more on each, see Emergency preparedness for children, seniors and people on medication and How do I prepare my pet for an emergency?. For the emergency toilet, see How do you manage toilets and waste when the water is off?. For a general checklist, see What goes in a 72-hour emergency kit?.
Turn this list into your plan
The official list above is the reference, and you can assemble everything on it yourself. The Phaenyx plan counts each line for your household, adds the risks around your home and comes with the Phaenyx Safe app. Build your Phaenyx plan.
Frequently asked questions
Does New Zealand recommend a 72-hour kit?
NEMA asks households to be ready to stay at home for three days or more, which is at least 72 hours 1.
How much water goes in a New Zealand emergency kit?
At least 9 litres per person, for three days or more 1.
Is a radio on the official list?
Yes. NEMA lists a first aid kit, torch, radio and batteries, kept where you can grab them in a hurry 1.
What documents should go in a grab bag?
Copies of important documents and photo ID 1.
Sources
- National Emergency Management Agency (Get Ready) — Work out what supplies you need (large print, file aug26, produced 2022) — https://getready.govt.nz/assets/Uploads/documents/alternate-formats/large-print/docx/21-supplies-lp-en-aug26.docx (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for New Zealand, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- National Emergency Management Agency (Get Ready) · Work out what supplies you need (large print, file aug26, produced 2022) checked 2026-10-20