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If a disaster happened now, would you be ready?

The beautiful West Coast landscape has been shaped by natural hazards over a number of years, but it is these natural and sometimes man-made hazards that can cause devastation and loss of life.

It is vital that you prepare now. Visit the Get Ready website to find out what to do to keep you and your family safe.

In an emergency, tune into your local radio station for updates and messages from Civil Defence:

Station name Westport Karamea Reefton Inangahua
CoastFM 96.5FM 99.3FM 90.3FM 96.5FM
The Hits 90.9FM   97.5FM 90.9FM
LiveSPORT 93.3FM     93.3FM
Newstalk ZB 1287AM 1287AM   1287AM
Radio Live 90.1FM     90.1FM
Radio NZ Concert 98.9FM     98.9FM
Radio NZ National 1458AM 1458AM   1458AM
Rhema 94.9FM      
The Sound 92.5FM      

Emergency Management

New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency provides leadership in reducing risk, being ready for, responding to and recovering from emergencies. It provides leadership and support around national, local, and regional emergencies.

NEMA replaced the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) on 1 December 2019.

NEMA’s Civil Defence’s website has information and advice to help you prepare for an emergency (www.civildefence.govt.nz). You can email NEMA at: [email protected] 

The West Coast CDEM Group comprises the three territorial authorities of the West Coast region and the West Coast Regional Council. The landward boundaries of Buller, Grey, and Westland District Councils and the seaward boundary of Regional Council constitute the boundary of the CDEM Group.

In an emergency situation, the best place to get up-to-date information is their Facebook page. You can also find information there about preparedness and community support.

The aim of the West Coast CDEM Group is to:

  • Coordinate all planning activities related to hazard and emergency management
  • Encourage cooperation and joint action within the region
  • Determine the aspirations of our community
  • Examine the risks that hazards may pose and prioritise each hazard.

West Coast CDEM’s role is to provide a coordinated and integrated approach to the way significant risks and hazards are managed in the West Coast region across the 4Rs in accordance with the Act:

  • Reduction
  • Readiness
  • Response
  • Recovery.

In New Zealand, we have a lot of natural hazards. Earthquakes, floods, landslides, snow, storms, tsunami, volcanic activity, and other hazards can happen any time and often without warning.