Civil defence

Activate your household or business plan.

What to do in an emergency

• If you or someone else are in immediate danger phone 111

Listen to your radio and check the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence website regularly for the latest information.

• Visit the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence website

General cautions

• Heavy rain may cause streams and rivers to rise rapidly, and surface flooding and slips are also possible.
• Driving conditions may be hazardous.
• Swimming in the sea and rivers may also pose health hazards.
• Please stay up to date with forecasts at the MetService website.

View Maps

GNS Science and the Tasman District and Nelson City councils have developed a series of tsunami evacuation maps.

• View the Interactive Maps.
• The maps are also available for download.
• For current tsunami alerts visit civildefence.govt.nz

What the maps show

There are three evacuation zones shown on the maps:

Red Zone

• Small more frequent tsunami that are essentially a beach and nearshore hazard.
• The Red Zone is also the area of greatest impact in a larger tsunami.

Orange Zone

• Large distant source tsunami.
• Due to the relatively long travel time, official warning of such a tsunami approaching can be expected.

Yellow Zone

• Large, but very infrequent, local sourced tsunami.
• Because of the short travel time, it is unlikely that there will be an official warning.
• The public will need to self-evacuate based on natural warnings (see below for what this means).

Further information:

• Check out the Frequently Asked Questions
• Learn more about what to do in a tsunami at GetThru
• For current tsunami alerts visit civildefence.govt.nz

The Red Cross Hazard App is a free tool to help you and your family prepare and respond to hazards.

The app provides information about:

• preparing an emergency response kit and plan;
• what to do during an emergency;
• hazards; and
• recovering after an event.

You will have access to this information even without cell or internet connection.

• Read more on the Hazard App website.

Installation

To install the app onto your device use the links below or search the applicable store for 'Red Cross Hazard'.

• Apple App Store
• Google Play Store

Fire and Emergency New Zealand supports Volunteer Rural Fire forces in the Tasman District. These forces respond to local emergencies and issue permits to burn fires in the open.

These forces are located at Appleby, Brightwater, Lake Rotoiti, Ngatimoti, Upper Takaka, Wainui Bay and Motueka.

Fire permits

Permits to burn in the open are required in rural areas throughout the year within the Tasman District. Fire restrictions are in force all year. Permits are generally needed for all outdoor fires except enclosed incinerators and barbecues.

For permit enquires or additional information contact:

Related links

• Rural Fire Network website
• Fire and Emergency New Zealand
• Check it’s Alright to Light

Nelson Tasman Emergency Management office

(for general inquiries about civil defence)

Office hours phone: 03 543 7290
After hours phone: 03 543 8400 or 03 546 0200
Email: Civil Defence Emergency Management

We play an important role in response and recovery during natural disasters. We also support rural firefighters and other emergency services and government agencies if required.

Tasman District Council and Nelson City Council deliver civil defence on a joint basis as the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Group.

The vision of the CDEM Group is to build “A resilient Nelson Tasman community”.

Other council staff are heavily involved in preparing for and responding to civil defence events. For example, the council monitors river flows and rainfall, and has a major role in welfare, logistics, planning, public information and emergency management

• Visit the Nelson Tasman Civil Defence website
• Read about the Civil Defence Emergency Management group plan