In an emergency
Know what to do in an emergency.
On this page
Contacting emergency services
If you or someone you know is in immediate physical danger phone 111.
Through calling 111, you can reach the police, the fire service, and ambulances.
You can text 111 if you are hearing or speech impaired and would like to use this service. You will need to register for this though.
Police
The police will help in situations like:
if there is a serious risk to a life or property
if someone is in danger
or if there has just been a crime.
If it's not quite an emergency but you need the police, call 105 or you can report it online at www.police.govt.nz/use-105.
Make a non-emergency report to the police
Fire service
The fire service will help if there is a fire, gas leak or storm danger.
Ambulance
An ambulance will help when someone has a medical emergency like:
difficulty breathing
chest pain
losing consciousness
severe pain or bleeding
National emergency support for disabled people
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is the government agency responsible for emergency management. This covers large-scale emergencies like:
earthquakes
floods
tsunami
severe storms
volcanic eruptions
landslides
wildfires
pandemics.
NEMA helps New Zealand reduce risks, prepare for emergencies, respond when emergencies happen, and support recovery afterwards.
The term civil defence refers to New Zealand’s overall emergency management system.
Each region has a Civil Defence Emergency Management Group that is responsible for emergency management in their area. These include organisations such as local councils and emergency services.
Find Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups
Being prepared for an emergency
You never know when an emergency will hit, so it’s important to make sure you’re prepared. This includes things like:
having supplies at home and a grab bag if you need to get out
making an emergency plan tailored to where you live and the needs of the people in your home
making your home safer, e.g. securing tall and heavy furniture
having a network of people who can assist you in an emergency.
NEMA’s Get Ready website has a lot of useful information about preparing for an emergency, including advice specifically for disabled people.
See NEMA’s tips for preparing for an emergency
See NEMA’s advice for disabled people
Visit Met Service’s website for weather warnings in your region
The Whaikaha website has more information about being prepared or an emergency if you have a disability.
Emergency alerts
During an emergency in your area, you should receive an Emergency Mobile Alert to your mobile phone. These alerts make a distinctive siren sound different to your phone’s regular ringtone or notifications.
Agencies that can send Emergency Mobile Alerts are:
New Zealand Police
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
National Emergency Management Agency
Local Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups.
NEMA does nationwide tests of the Emergency Mobile Alert System each year.
Learn more about Emergency Mobile Alerts
You can also get emergency and severe weather alerts via the Govt.nz app. You can choose what parts of the country you get alerts for. While Emergency Mobile alerts come via cellphone towers, you can get Govt.nz alerts however your mobile or tablet is connected to the internet (e.g. Wi-Fi, satellite).
Find out about the Govt.nz app
Inclusive emergency management
Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission has resources to support more inclusive emergency preparedness, response, and recovery across Aotearoa New Zealand.
Visit Te Kāhui Tika Tangata Human Rights Commission website
Emergency health support
If you don't need to call an ambulance at 111 but you do need emergency care, you can visit your closest emergency health department.
Find your nearest hospital emergency department on Healthpoint
Emergency mental health support
Our mental health support resources page can direct you to services and tools you can use if you’re struggling with your mental health.
Visit our mental health support reources page
What to do If you need help but are not in immediate danger
For welfare assistance, you can call Work and Income at 0800 559 009
For health advice, call your general practitioner (GP), or you can call Healthline on 0800 611 116.