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About Neighbourhood Support

History

Neighbourhood Watch was introduced to New Zealand as a crime prevention initiative in the late 1970s. The initiative evolved to become Neighbourhood Support New Zealand, a community owned and managed organisation with a wide-ranging interest in community support, safety and crime prevention.

Neighbourhood Support became an Incorporated Society in 2000. In 2001 it signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the New Zealand Police. The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding is to establish and promote a collaborative working relationship between Neighbourhood Support New Zealand Incorporated and the Police.

Objectives

Neighbourhood Support aims to make homes, streets, neighbourhoods and communities safer and more caring places in which to live.

This is primarily achieved through the establishment of small cells of households known as a “Neighbourhood Support Group”, comprising anywhere from 4 to 50 residential households in a single street or suburb. Groups throughout a single suburb or a wider town or city area are co-ordinated either via a civilian co-ordinator, or through a Community Constable based at a local Police station.

The main purpose of the groups is to encourage neighbours to know one another and share information on crime or suspicious activities in their area. Early contact with authorities such as the Police is also encouraged for reporting of unusual observations or unacceptable behaviour. Crime prevention information can also be shared with group members via Community Constables, or Neighbourhood Support Area Co-ordinators.

A secondary objective of Neighbourhood Support is to facilitate communication between Civil Defence (Emergency Management) and the community during a manmade or natural disaster affecting residents.

Message from the Editorial Team

Sadly, the world in which we live is not as law abiding as it was a generation or two ago, which makes the work of all sorts of government and voluntary organisations vital.

Neighbourhood Support is a lively, worthwhile and necessary organisation which provides avenues for neighbours and communities to socialise, and look out for each other.

Our sincere thanks to the contributors of all the articles contained here. A lot of hours have gone in to making this book as relevant, useful and convenient to use as possible.

This book is a vehicle for the latest news and messages of many of the above, in an easy to use format. Please keep it by your phone for ready reference.

The community-minded advertisers represented in this book have provided the finance for its manufacture and distribution, as well as critical funding for your local Neighbourhood Support groups to continue their important work.

Please support these advertisers as they are supporting you!

Published by Markat

P.O. Box 1879

Christchurch

Phone: 03 961 5084

Email: sales@markat.co.nz

Advertising / Articles Enquirers

Phil Cowen

Phone: 021 660 355

Email: phil@markat.co.nz

Published annually - ref: N20RT

Destination Rolorua

Rotorua truly is a nature lover's paradise. The city is surrounded by lush forests and stunning lakes, creating the ultimate playground for people to enjoy a healthy and active lifestyle.

While these amazing spaces are loved by our local community, we also share them with over 3.5 million visitors that travel to the region each year from all parts of New Zealand and all over the world. To this day, tourism and hospitality remains the largest employer for our region.

Here in Rotorua we pride ourselves on our sense of manaakitanga and the warm welcome that we provide to our guests. Please join with us to ensure that these visitors leave Rotorua with fond memories and come back to visit us again soon.

by Michelle Templer Chief Executive Destination Rotorua

Message from the Chair

Welcome. I value the Neighbourhood Support Rotorua and all of our Street/Group contacts.

It is not an easy task managing your neighbourhood and trying to keep all of your neighbours as safe as possible in this day and age!

I have been the local Tarewa Road Neighbourhood support street/group contact person for the past 12 years and it is a role I really.

You have to be a true community minded person to fulfil the role of the street/group contact person for your neighbourhood.

I see the role of group co-ordinators as an essential service-it always has been.

As we all know, our Police staff are busy all of the time and I know that they also appreciate the support they receive from the street/group contacts and the Neighbourhood Support office team.

We must all strive to keep Neighbourhood Support Rotorua active now and into the future because the future is so uncertain.

Aroha Bray, Chair Neighbourhood Support Rotorua

From the Area Commander of Police

Tena koutou katoa, I want firstly extend my appreciation to all of the NSG who assist in making Rotorua a safe and better place to be.

It has been a little over a year since I have been acting in the role of Rotorua Area Commander and I have been impressed by the committed and professional manner members of NSG have gone about their business ensuring that, collectively, we are all working together to keep Rotorua safe.

During the COVID-19 lockdown period we all saw different images portrayed by our communities.

More importantly the restrictions and uncertainty brought neighbourhoods closer together and reinforced the benefits of working together. Moving forward we need to take stock on these lessons learnt and build further on the great work the NSG does to increase the capability and effectiveness of working together with our communities.

Police are committed to making New Zealand the safest country in the world. However, we cannot do it alone.

We need your continued assistance and support on this. So thank you all for your continued support and let’s keep working together to make Rotorua the safest city.

Nga mihi ki a koutou

Phil Taikato, Inspector Acting Area Commander, Rotorua

Message from the Rotorua MP

Rotorua is a great place to live. We live in a wonderfully diverse and strong community with a diverse culture, good education and a great many local attractions to keep us busy.

Whether you enjoy mountain biking or walking in the Redwoods, fishing, swimming or soaking in hot pools, we have it all right here on our doorstep.

Rotorua is a great place to raise a family or to retire to – we have a lot to offer.

Keeping ourselves and our families safe from crime and harm is of paramount importance.

Rotorua Neighbourhood Support plays an important role in providing the tools to help us prevent crime, be prepared for emergencies and keep our community safe.

We are fortunate to have a strong and reliable Neighbourhood Support network and I wish to thank them for their dedication and commitment to the wider Rotorua area.

The team at Neighbourhood Support provides strong advice and support for families on reducing crime and working with others to build a strong network to keep our community safer.

I urge you to refer to this booklet and local newsletters to keep informed on matters in your neighbourhood.

As your elected MP I value your opinion and my staff and I are available to support you where we can.

We assist with a wide range of issues and I am always interested to hear your views. I hold regular constituent clinics in my office in Rotorua, and we make space available for community groups to meet – free of charge in my electorate office.

If you would like to meet me, or have an event or organisation I might assist with, please get in touch. As your MP, my door is always open.

Best wishes for the year ahead.

Hon Todd McClay Member of Parliament for Rotorua

From the Mayor Steve Chadwick

More than ever this year we are seeing the value that voluntary organisations provide in helping our people, and I would like to start by thanking you all for your continued support of our community.

Neighbourhood Support’s commitment to reducing residential crime and foster community togetherness is absolutely vital for our Rotorua district and its residents.

Ensuring our communities are resilient and connected is a key part of Council’s kaupapa and focus and is even more important as we work together towards the recovery of our district as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

These uncertain times have exacerbated existing challenges our district faces and will require collective effort to overcome.

Our recovery efforts will extend beyond the economy to also ensure the wellbeing of our people in the widest sense.

Without wellbeing, our economy cannot prosper and collaboration will be key to ensuring that we make a tangible and sustainable difference for all those who live in our wonderful Rotorua district.

Council has adopted a Build Back Better recovery strategy that encompasses the work already started on a district housing strategy, which is part of a wider kaupapa to build strong, connected communities, acknowledging the need for people to have not just healthy homes, but also access to support services and facilities.

We will need the ongoing support of organisations like yours to ensure that our people feel safe, protected, supported and connected.

Council cannot do it alone – collaboration and collective effort will be required to ensure we achieve the positive outcomes we all want for our community.

We want Rotorua to be a place where everyone can thrive and succeed.

I thank you again for your continued efforts and for your contribution to our community.

Together we can – and do – make a difference. Tatau tatau – we together.

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Message from the co-ordinator

This is the 25th year that Neighbourhood Support Rotorua was incorporated and the diversity of coverage can be seen by the new inclusive Neighbourhood Support logo.

This year has been one of the most complex years we have had to face, yet one of the most successful years where it was proven how well Neighbourhood Support functions in unprecedented times.

The pandemic was of course an event of extraordinary proportions. We have had a phenomenal response and many cheerful reports from a multitude of people.

Neighbours in need received many offers of assistance from the neighbours in their streets during lockdown. This is precisely what we endeavour to get; neighbours who support each other and the pandemic in an unexpected way proved how well the concept of Neighbourhood Support works.

Now would be a great time for more homes, schools and business to come on board. The school support program is ready to launch where neighbours support our schools with security vigilance during the evenings, weekends and holidays.

During the lockdown period, our office was relocated to the home environment from where we continued our day to day

activities. This certainly had some positive aspects with the warmth of home cooking and coffee nearby.

Having said that, we were away from our usual post at the police station and we coped remarkably well with the improvised situation.

Bruce had the laptop and continued with his well-known efficiency with the administration tasks, while I largely dealt with our neighbourhood groups, the odd awkward situation, media and the police.

The coverage of our area is the same as that of the Rotorua Police area, and this year we were able to expand our rural areas which include Upper Atiamuri, Waikiti Valley and Mamaku.

A good deal of success in the Maori community was achieved with the Te Koutu Marae and the Tarimano Marae Complex in Gloucester Road coming on board with positive feedback from them.

We are just shy of 10,000 residential homes being part of Neighbourhood Support, and it is our intention to continue expanding groups to more marae, homes and schools this year.

The response from these areas and other groups has displayed how well the concept of Neighbourhood Support functions and proven with the recent Covid lockdown.

Each group operates as that group determines. All will follow the basic aims of:

• Taking responsibility of their own safety

• Preparing for a civil defence emergency

• Encouraging neighbours to get to know one another

• Helping to minimise crime in the area by reporting suspicious behaviour

• Sharing information to reduce the likelihood of crime

• Supporting each other when needed

• Knowing when and

how to contact the police and other authorities.

One thing that members of a Group should not be, are nosy parkers, wanting to know all the gossip in the area. Information is shared as and when necessary - members respect others right to privacy.

Each group undertakes activities that they wish to do-some have regular meetings, street barbeques or parties, community projects, but not all.

The office provides the group with information regards crime in the immediate vicinity, warnings in regards to potential crime, information on crime prevention and preparing for emergency.

Every quarter a newsletter is distributed to the households in the group coverage area by the gtreet/group contact person.

Richard Perkins Co-ordinator Neighbourhood Support

Rotorua

cnimrs2@gmail.com

What does a Neighbourhood Support Group do?

Neighbourhood Support

Rotorua covers over 39 percent of the occupied households in the area. In the covered locations less than 20 percent of residential crime occurs.

So how does a Neighbourhood Support Group work? When an area wishes to have Neighbourhood Support established, following a meeting of interested households, a group is set up with a person appointed as the group contact person.

This person acts as the point of contact between the group and the office distributing information to the group and keeping contact information up to date.

The group will:

• Encourage neighbours to talk to each other

• Share information that will help reduce the risk of crime

• Help foster a sense of community spirit

• Educate and empower neighbours to take responsibility for their own safety

• Identify the needs of neighbours and ways to assist each other such as the elderly, infirm and those living alone

• Decide ways to handle any civil emergency that may occur.

Neighbourhood Support encourages groups to undertake these objectives so as to reduce the incidence of crime in their area and to build community spirit.

When the contact person gathers household information from the members, the office assembles a telephone contact list to distribute to registered households in the group. The lists should be kept up to date as possible with at least an annual update.

Neighbours look after each other. Members of a group can keep an eye on a property when they go away so long as the group is advised.

A group is able to establish a sense of ‘being an entity’ by having streets signs mounted in the street and all registered households having a Neighbourhood Support sticker on their property, visible from the road on a window/ letterbox/door.

These do provide a visible warning to those coming into the area that the neighbours do look out for each other and will report suspicious activity to the police.

Groups can undertake social activities, but it is dependent upon what the group wants. Some have a regular get together over a pot luck meal or barbeque. Others meet only annually.

The main idea behind these gatherings is to get to know your neighbours.

Members of the group welcome newcomers to the street, introducing them to their new neighbours. This is can be done by all members of the group and not just the group contact person.

Building communities which are prepared for the possibility of a civil emergency is also a vital aspect of the group.

To do this, Civil Defence often works with groups in communities where there is a likelihood of a civil disaster occurring, establishing local area emergency plans.

The Neighbourhood Support Group is an essential participant in this exercise as they are the ones on the ground and have knowledge of local facilities, contacts and potential problems.

The relationships within the group also help provide a readily establish communication network.

Neighbourhoods don’t become lower crime areas without effort. Establishing Neighbourhood Support Groups assists in making communities safer.

Doing this requires members of a group to be active, communicating with neighbours and providing support for each other.

By doing this, the community spirit is uplifted and it makes the area a safer, more caring place to live.

How do we make sure things happen correctly?

Neighbourhood Support Rotorua is set up as an incorporated society (HN/684216) and is registered on the Charities Register (CC21983).

The constitution can be viewed at the website nsrotorua.info under the “About” tab.

As part of the constitution, each year in June at the AGM, between 6-10 people are elected to the committee.

This committee oversees the governance of the organisation.

Meeting up to a minimum of six times a year they receive reports from the co-ordinator and approve expenditure. They also ensure funding and staffing are available plus budgets are made and kept to.

At the first meeting after the AGM those elected appoint a chair, secretary and treasurer from within their number. If necessary up to three people can be co-opted to the committee if the situation requires it.

In addition to the elected committee, there are ex-officio members from the Rotorua Police called the Area Commander’s Liaison Office, the Rotorua Lakes Council and the staff, presently two-part timers.

If anyone is interested in coming onto the committee please contact the office, 349 9470, to find out more information.

How does Neighbourhood Support work?

The basis of Neighbourhood Support is the Neighbourhood Support Group. This can be a group of neighbours in part of a large street or all the neighbours in a smaller street and can also be neighbours covering a small area of a few streets.

Each group appoints a volunteer street/ group contact person who is the connection for the group with the Neighbourhood Support office.

The contact person forwards on information from the group to the office and distribute information from the office to the group.

Groups are easy to establish.

When a number of neighbours are interested in establishing a group they contact the office on (07) 349 9470, and arrange for a representative to speak to a meeting of the neighbours to outline how Neighbourhood Support works and to gather contact details of those who wish to join the group.

The contact information is collated by the office and telephone contact lists are sent to the contact person for distribution to all registered members. Road signs are left with the contact person to be mounted on power poles at the

extremities of the group notifying all who pass through that there is an active group there.

If you move to an area and are unsure whether there is an existing group, please contact the office and they can advise you if a group exists and the contact person details.

If there isn’t a group already established, one can be easily established using the above process.

Neighbourhood Support also works in rural areas.

Often due to the size of farms, neighbours are distant, but communication between them is encouraged so that if anything suspicious is noticed, it can be reported and followed up.

In rural areas, neighbours tend to get to know those close by and with Neighbourhood Support information is passed on to the group contact, the same way as to urban groups, and then distributed to the members of the group by email or telephone call.

What do groups do?

It is up to each group to decide what they would like to do in addition to keeping an eye on suspicious activity in the area and contacting the police.

Some groups like to get together for a

group barbeque/shared lunch or dinner to help build community spirit in the area.

Often this is done in conjunction with Neighbours Day Aotearoa which is held on a weekend in March each year. This is an opportunity for neighbours and families to get to know each other.

When a neighbour goes away on holiday, they are encouraged to let their trusted neighbours know that they are going to be away, for what period, the expected visitors to the property (such as someone clearing mail or regular lawn mowing contractor), and their holiday contact number in case they need to contacted.

Their neighbours can then keep a look out for the property to reduce the risk of anyone interfering with it, reporting suspicious activity to the police.

Other groups access the Rotorua Lakes Council Matching Fund to improve their area.

The Matching Fund is a source of funding that matches the value of the labour provided by the group and resources the neighbourhood provides. For example, a neighbourhood may wish to undertake a neighbourhood clean-up and they will provide the labour and tools but need funding for hiring rubbish skips.

The total man hours that the neighbourhood provides is calculated at a set hourly rate and funding up to that value can be applied for from the Matching Fund.

Authorised by Todd McClay MP, Parliament Buildings, Wellington.

How to start a Neighbourhood Support Group

Step 1: Make contact

Contact your Neighbourhood Support Rotorua by:

• phone 349-9470

• email: nsrotorua@gmail.com

• or call into the Rotorua Police Station and ask for Neighbourhood Support.

If you live in Murupara or Galatea, contact the Murupara Police Station.

Step 2: Find members

The Neighbourhood Support coordinator will help:

• Determine a practical size for your group

• Co-ordinate invites to join the group

• Set up the initial group ‘get together’

• Identify the volunteer contact person and a deputy for the group.

Step 3: Start up meeting

A Neighbourhood Support co-ordinator will attend the first meeting and:

• Explain how a Neighbourhood Support group works

• Distribute information packs and street signs

• Help gather details for a group contact list

• Help appoint a volunteer street/group contact person

• Stay in contact with the group via the contact person.

Step 4: Follow up

The group contact person will:

• Distribute the contact list to their group members and keep it up to date

• Distribute information such as newsletters and crime alerts

• Arrange future meetings (if required) including an annual get together.

The contact person

The contact person is referred to as a street or group contact. This role is crucial in keeping information up to date and in feeding information back to the community.

The office takes contact information of members and produce Contact List for distribution to the group tesources and other supporting resources can be accessed by contacting the Neighbourhood Support Office, these resources include: information packs, street signs, letterbox stickers, leaflets and update sheets, which are also provided as part of the start-up and thereafter for ongoing maintenance of your group.

Some pamphlets are available by downloading from our website: www.nsrotorua.info

Reporting crime: See something, do something

Albert Einstein was quoted as saying: “If I were to remain silent, I’d be guilty of complicity.”

Many people in today’s society do not follow that quote. They see suspicious activity and do not report it – they may intend to report it, but fail to do so. By doing that you are effectively condoning what has been going on!

I know that some people are frightened about becoming involved. However, if you don’t report something when you see it, you are effectively giving your consent. If you see something suspicious you should contact the police immediately. The police can only act on the information they receive.

By seeing something and doing nothing you are allowing burglars, vandals, thugs, drug sellers etc. to continue in their sordid ways.

A lot of crime can be prevented. Still there are some really simple things we can do.

Things such as reporting people or vehicles acting suspiciously. If truants are seen walking the streets, contact their school and report what you have seen. If there is a valid reason for them being out of school minimal harm has been done, but if they are truant, they could be up to no good, they could be preparing to

“knock off” someone’s home. Your report could prevent that from happening.

By reporting suspicious behaviour you may be preventing the beginnings of a criminal life style by stopping it in its tracks.

Remember a big oak tree grows from a small acorn. The same way a criminal starts on a life of crime with a first step, often as a youngster truant from school. Your report may be the trigger point to stop it developing into something bigger.

If for whatever reason you wish to report something anonymously to the police, contact “Crimebusters” on 0800-555-111.

Neighbourhood Support Groups are encouraged to be observant and to report suspicious behaviour.

This helps to reduce the crime level in Neighbourhood Support streets. In Rotorua there is a coverage of over 37 percent of the district’s occupied households, yet Neighbourhood Support covered areas have only 20 percent of the residential crime.

Join a group in your area or if there isn’t one there get one started, the sooner the better.

For further information, contact Neighbourhood Support Rotorua on (07) 349 9470, or by email to nsrotorua@gmail.com.

Protecting your property

Keeping your home and property secure is what most householders want to do. Most people do it automatically. However sometimes it is good to have a reminder.

Your home

Always lock your doors and secure your windows when you leave home. If you are working in your garden, away from the house, don’t leave doors unlocked or open as you won’t necessarily see anyone getting into your house while you focus on what you are doing.

Garages and outbuildings/sheds should be locked when not in use. Particularly internal access garages if left open provide, in most cases, unhindered access to your home.

When finished with any equipment outside secure it in a shed/garage which is locked, this includes ladders and tools etc.

Depending upon your finances consider installing window security stays, security lights and a burglar alarm.

Always keep your keys and automatic door openers secure.

Keep trees and shrubs trimmed, particularly around the front door so that someone can be seen if they are trying to break in.

Your possessions

Always record the make, model and security numbers of your big ticket items such

as TVs, stereos and appliances. Keep those numbers in a secure place.

Photograph jewellery, and your big ticket items

Check out the free police website to at www.snap.org.nz as a place to store your serial numbers and photos of appliances etc.

Keep your credit/debit cards in a secure place, don’t leave them lying around and don’t share your pin number, your bank won’t ask for it, don’t write it down – remember it!

Your vehicles

When your vehicle is parked at home don’t leave it unlocked, even in a garage. Don’t leave valuables in an unattended vehicle.

Store your bike in a lockable garage/shed and if you are unable to do that secure it with a strong chain and lock to an immovable object.

Store you boat/boat trailer, caravan, camper, motorhome out of sight if possible. Use a wheel clamp to prevent it being towed away. You can also purchase tow ball lock to prevent it being towed.

Always keep a record of your vehicles VIN, make, model, colour and any non-standard items, and take photos of them as well. Keep this information & photos secure in such a place as www.snap.org.nz.

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Protecting your vehicle

Vehicle crime is made up of a number of different but often related activities. Theft of vehicles and theft from vehicles are the two most common crime types in New Zealand.

Vehicles can be stolen for a number of reasons, including ‘joyriding’, to commit other crimes or to be broken up for parts for sale on the black market.

Theft from vehicles, also known as ‘theft ex car’, involves the theft of property such as wheels, stereos and personal items - bags, briefcases, laptop computers, wallets, parking meter money, etc.

Thieves gain entry to vehicles primarily by forcing locks or smashing windows.

How to reduce the opportunity of having your vehicle stolen or broken into:

• Keep your vehicle keys with you. Keep spare keys at home or work

• Don’t hide a spare key or the car-thieves could find it

• Always lock your car, including the boot and, if applicable, the sunroof

• Park in busy, open, well-lit areas

• Use an attended, secure parking building if possible

• If you garage your vehicle at home, ensure the garage and car is locked.

Protecting car contents:

• Don’t leave things on display

• Keep valuables (money, mobile phone, cheques, credit cards) on you or at home - not in the glove box or under a seat

• Keep bags, luggage, coats etc locked, out of sight and in the boot

• Keep a record of serial numbers.

Additional security options:

• Install a car alarm and electronic engine immobiliser (which prevents the vehicle from being started)

• Use a steering wheel club or lock, lockable fuel cap and wheel nuts

• Etch your registration or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on windows, windscreens and headlights.

Preventing motorcycle theft:

• Keep your keys on you at all times

• Use an ignition or steering lock

• Use a strong, thick chain and ‘U’ lock. Keep the chain off the ground to make it harder to cut

• Secure your motorcycle to something solid that can’t be moved

• Keep your helmet with you or use a helmet lock

• Install an alarm or other anti-theft/im mobiliser device

• Etch or mark your motorcycle with your registration or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

• Garage your motorcycle and lock both

• Use a motorcycle cover.

Electronic crime advice

Originally by Senior Sergeant Graeme Hill, Community & Youth Services, Rotorua

Electronic crime, also known as e-crime or cybercrime, refers to criminal activity that involves the internet, a computer or other electronic devices.

Some e-crime relates specifically to computers, such as distributing damaging electronic viruses or launching a denial-of-service attack which causes a computer system to deny service to any authorised user.

It is important to understand that these types of things are happening at a more frequent rate.

Spark, Apple, banks and PayPal all recently featured in e-crime headlines and it is important before clicking on any link from these emails that you ensure they are legitimate sites.

If in doubt, go to the main website for that particular entity and contact them via that to resolve any issue they have notified you of.

Nine out of 10 times it will not be the company contacting you at all.

E-Crime prevention:

• Educate yourself about basic online safety at the website of NetSafe website, netsafe.org.nz

• Apply safety advice to all electronic encounters, including mobile phone use and texting

• Educate family members about basic online safety

• Set up basic protection against malicious software (malware) such as viruses.

Civil Defence: Be prepared!

Neighbourhood Support Rotorua is a member of the Rotorua Lakes Council’s Civil Defence Welfare and Recovery Committee, working closely with RLC’s Civil Defence Emergency Management co-ordinator, Linda Johnston.

The Neighbourhood Support communication network is used in times of emergency to contact affected areas and get out important messaging. Ensure your household contact details are up to date on the database as part of being prepared.

The Scout movement had a motto “be prepared” and this is what we all need to do before disaster strikes. The steps are simple - make a plan for use in an emergency.

There are many facets to consider but everyone in your household needs to know what to do and where to go in each of the possible scenarios; can’t get to your home, stuck in your home, evacuating your home, being out of contact.

The following steps could assist you and your family to look after themselves at a time when you are most vulnerable:

• Learn about disasters that can affect you

• Create and practice a Household Emergency Plan

• Have a getaway kit ready, a small bag with warm clothes, torch, radio, first aid kit, snack food and water, essential medication, and copies of important documents and photo ID

• Water and essentials to last three to seven days including a minimum of three

litres of water per person per day

• Plan to help anyone in your household with mobility problems or other disabilities

• Know what you will do with your pets

• Get to know your neighbours and work together helping each other out.

The Ministry of Civil Defence has a new public alerting cell broadcasting system which will provide vital information during an emergency via approved cell phones.

The Red Cross has an app for mobile phones which issues official warnings and alerts. To find out more information go to the NZ Red Cross site www.redcross.org.nz and select Hazard App.

Keep informed during an emergency by listening to one of these radio stations:

STATION ROTORUA FREQUENCY

National Radio 1188AM & 101.5FM

Newstalk ZB 747AM

Classic Hits 97.5FM & 90.9FM

More FM 95.9FM

Radio Live 95.1FM

Check the following Civil Defence websites for more detailed information:

www.rotorualakescouncil.nz www.happens.nz www.getthru.govt.nz

Emergency items you need

Answer the following questions to find out how ready you are.

1. Non-perishable food for 3 days or longer

2. Water (3 litres per day per person / 150mls per kg for animals) (don’t forget sources like your hot water cylinder)

3. Additional water for washing / cooking

4. Torch with spare batteries or dynamo / solar torch

5. Battery radio with spare batteries (a car radio counts)

6. Can opener (hand operated)

7. Emergency toilet (bucket/ paper/ rubbish bags)

8. Basic First Aid Kit / Essential medicines

9. Blankets, duvets, sleeping bags

10. Wind and waterproof clothing. Strong outdoor shoes

11. Hat for sun face/ dust masks (you can use a damp tea towel as a dust mask)

12. Camping stove or gas BBQ (or access to one)

13. Baby’s formula and small children’s, food and drinks (if appropriate)

14. Pet supplies (if appropriate)

NB: For questions 13 and / or 14 enter a tick if the item is not relevant, that is if you don't have babies, children or pets .

Number Correct

How safe is your home?

Complete this survey — reduce your risk of being burgled.

Doors and Windows Yes No

1. Are all locks to outside doors either dead locks or strong bolt locks?

2. Can door locks be opened by breaking a window and reaching through?

3. Can internal doors be locked?

4. Are all locks in good working order?

5. Do you lock the internal door from your garage?

6. Can you account for all copies of keys to your home?

7. Are window locks properly and securely mounted?

8. Do you keep windows locked when they are shut?

9. Do you use locks that allow windows to be secured partly open? Garage

10. Do you lock your garage door at night?

11. Do you lock your garage door when away from home?

12. Do you have good secure locks on garage windows and doors?

13. Do you lock your car when its parked in your garage? Holiday

14. Do you notify neighbours when away on holiday?

15. Do you have mail and circulars collected for you when you are away?

16. Do you stop deliveries and newspapers when on holiday?

17. Do you have shades up and lights on when on holiday?

18. Do you use timers on lights & radios to make it look like you are home?

19. Do you arrange to keep lawns and gardens maintained?

20. Are you a member of a neighbourhood support group? Environment

21. Do you have sensor lights around your house?

22. Are shrubs and bushes well trimmed near your house and boarders? Safe Practices

23. Have you recorded all serial numbers and stored them away from home?

24. Have you uniquely marked valuable items (etch or invisible)?

25. Do you have a description of valuable property?

26. Have you displayed a sign that items are marked for identification?

27. Do you have an alarm?

28. Have you displayed a sign stating that your house is alarmed?

29. Do you report suspicious activity or people to police immediately?

30. Do you know not to disturb anything if you are burgled? just to call police?

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