Published 07 March 2023
Extreme weather support was updated March 7
Find accessible formats on extreme weather support on the Civil Defence Website (external link)
On this page you will find:
- Emergency contact details
- Support for disabled people
- Clean up help
- Well-being and mental health
- Printable resources
Emergency contact details
If you are in danger contact the emergency support and flood damage phone numbers and emails listed below
If you are in immediate danger, please call emergency services on 111
If you are registered due to hearing or speech difficulties, you can contact emergency services via the 111-text line
Register for the 111-text line service at police.govt.nz/111-txt
If you need help but are not in immediate danger contact details are listed below.
Call the Disability Helpline, 24 hours 7 days at 0800 11 12 13 or text 8988
For welfare assistance please call Work and Income at 0800 400 100
For health advice, call your GP, or you can call Healthline on 0800 611 116
For local civil defence groups visit the Civil Defence website (external link)
Support for disabled people
The Ministry of Social Development website includes information on a range of support and funding that can assist disabled people and their whānau.
If you depend on power for medical equipment, life support, or medicine, you should:
Contact your power company and let them know
Contact your local civil defence centre for support
If you are in danger contact emergency services immediately by calling 111
If registered, you can text emergency services at the 111-text line
As power begins to come back on, stay safe and protect yourself from potential fire hazards. Turn off all light switches, power outlets and cooking appliances in a power cut and check for any damage before you switch things back on.
Clean up help
The Student Volunteer Army have made themselves available to help with the extreme weather clean-up in the North Island.
Wellbeing and Mental Health
A range of services are available to help support your mental health and well-being:
Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor
Call the Depression Helpline at 0800 111 757 or text 4204 to talk to a trained counsellor
Contact YouthLine by calling 0800 376 633 or texting 234
Contact Youthline by emailing talk@youthline.co.nz (external link)
Call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for health advice and information
The Lowdown is a text support service for young people to help recognise and understand depression or anxiety
Text the Lowdown for support at 5626
Printable resources
Please find an up-to-date Easy Read document for the cyclone prepared by the team at People First.
Easy Read Information about Cyclone Gabrielle (PDF, 499 KB)
We have prepared this information in a printable document for people who want to share information.
Printable extreme weather support information (PDF, 131 KB)
Kia kaha disabled people and whānau