How to prepare your home for extreme weather

Changeable weather and experiencing ‘four seasons in one day’ is a daily reality in many parts of New Zealand, but changes to our climate mean our Kiwi ‘she’ll be right’ attitude is quickly shifting to ‘she’ll be prepared’. A 2023 report from the Ministry for the Environment Manatū Mō Te Taiao and Stats NZ Tatauranga Aotearoa states that weather events and disasters – such as cyclones, storms, flooding, landslides, droughts and wildfires – are not only on the rise but also becoming more extreme¹. Ensuring you have sufficient home and contents insurance in the event of a disaster is essential, but there are other ways you and your whānau can prepare for extreme weather and understand its impacts on your home. 

Key steps to guard against extreme weather events 

• Check local information on whether you are in a flood-prone area and anything else you need to work with.
• Cleaning and checking your spouting, downpipes and roof annually.
• Using landscaping elements such as mulch and gravel to manipulate the flow of rainfall. 
• Save water by choosing drought-tolerant plants and rainwater harvesting.
• Having a storm and cyclone plan in place. Check out our helpful guide on how to prepare for a storm or cyclone when at home.
• Creating a 10m fire ‘safe zone’ around your home.
• Keeping on top of weather warnings and preparing a grab bag ready with emergency supplies in case you need to evacuate. 

Tip: Always wear the appropriate safety equipment (safety glasses, gloves, ear muffs and a mask, for example) and always follow the instructions for the product or equipment. 

Prepare with insight

Landscape architect Renee Davies says good preparation is about understanding and working with nature rather than against it. “One of the most important first steps is to truly know your site. Consider whether it sits in a low-lying area within a water catchment, assess the soil type and its drainage capacity, and observe what happens beyond your fence line, such as neighbouring land use or upstream water flow,” she says. 

Check local council information about your land. Auckland Council, for instance, has an online Flood Viewer tool that tells you whether your home is located in a flood-prone area.

Strengthen rain defences

Meteorological data from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research reveals that, in the past 60 years, annual rainfall patterns have changed around Aotearoa². Extreme rain deluges are becoming more common in most areas, and the overall trend is that the south of the country is becoming wetter while the north and east are becoming drier. Sea levels have also risen.

NIWA estimates that 750,000 New Zealanders and 500,000 buildings are located near rivers and in coastal areas exposed to extreme flooding³. To prepare for heavy rain, spouting and downpipes need to be maintained and up to standard, says Nigel Montgomery of Marley (suppliers of rainwater systems). “Blockages can cause water to back up and overflow,” he says. “This can lead to system damage as well as pooling around foundations, flooding in basements, damage to cladding and exterior walls and landscape erosion, which is particularly problematic in sloped sections.”

Spouting with half-pipe profiles is advised for areas with frequent heavy rain, and UV-resistant materials are best for New Zealand conditions.

Clean spouting and downpipes annually with soapy water and a soft-bristle brush, and look often for debris and leaves. Check brackets are intact and spaced according to manufacturer’s instructions – Nigel Montgomery suggests a maximum of 500mm apart (or 300mm in high wind zones). He also advises ensuring spouting has an even fall towards outlets, and maintaining expansion points. Clean and check roofs regularly and know at which height scaffolding is recommended by New Zealand’s WorkSafe guidelines. If you spot a leak, book a professional as reroofing must always be compliant with the Building Code.

Tip: Make sure your ladder has non-slip feet and is set up on a flat, stable and solid surface. Wear sturdy footwear, maintain three points of contact (for example both feet and one hand) on it at all times and make sure another person is nearby in case you need assistance.

Design against deluge

Flooding can occur when rain does not have enough time to naturally percolate into the soil. But there are landscaping elements that can help. Manipulating the flow of rainfall using bioswales or rain gardens is one tactic to slow water, says Renee Davies.

“These are shallow, vegetated basins designed to capture and slowly infiltrate stormwater,” she explains. “They should be in areas where water is already naturally flowing or pooling.”

Permeable surfaces such as mulch or a gravel path can slow down water. In heavy rain, water will often run over the surface of traditional hard paving or concrete, creating problems with water pooling. As an alternative for outdoor areas or driveways, Kenwyn Smart, Bunnings associate buyer, landscaping, suggests using interlocking permeable pavers, which are designed to work with a roading aggregate or decorative gravel. 

Save every drop 

On the other extreme, water can become a precious commodity in drought or dry conditions. Lack of water and strong winds can stress plants and cause soil erosion. For drought-prone areas, choose hardy, drought-tolerant species – Dichondra ‘Silver Falls’ and Lomandra ‘Lime Tuff’ are good options, says Robert Chin, Bunnings compliance manager, biosecurity and nursery standards. Renee suggests planting windbreaks using dense shrubs or trees to shield delicate plants and reduce soil loss.

If water is in short supply or you live in an area with water restrictions, consider a rainwater harvesting system. This can be as simple as a rainwater diverter attached to a downpipe and connected to a tank or barrel with a hose attachment. To reduce evaporation, water your garden in the morning or evening. Renee recommends using a drip irrigation system with smart controls*. “Drip irrigation delivers water directly to plant roots, minimising evaporation and run-off,” she says. “Smart irrigation controllers, using weather data and soil-moisture sensors, optimise watering schedules, ensuring water is used efficiently.”

Guard against gusts

As well as heavy rain, cyclones and storms bring with them strong wind gusts, which can damage property. To reduce the risk of roofs being damaged or blown off, regularly inspect and secure them by replacing damaged tiles and tightening roofing panels. And, if a storm or cyclone is forecast, bring inside or tie down anything that could be picked up in a gust, such as outdoor furniture. Civil Defence New Zealand also advises identifying a safe place in your home for the family to gather during a storm. This should be away from windows, skylights or glass doors.

Be fire safe

Wildfires are becoming increasingly common in parts of New Zealand⁴. So before lighting any kind of outdoor fire or doing anything that will generate sparks or heat, find out the fire risk via the Check It’s Alright website. Some types of fire also require a permit.

Civil Defence New Zealand states that areas such as Wellington, Canterbury, Marlborough and Nelson are at a higher risk of wildfires, especially where there is development on the rural fringe or in steep terrain surrounded by bush⁵. If you live in a high-risk area, there are some tasks you can do to prepare your property.

Fire Emergency New Zealand advises creating a 10m safe zone around your home. This involves keeping grass short, clearing spouting, and removing flammable items such as firewood, overhanging trees or plants such as mānuka from the area. Beyond this, create a second 30m safe zone by making sure trees aren’t touching and pruning branches up to two metres off the ground. For more fire protection tips, visit the Check It’s Alright website.

Civil Defence New Zealand says planning ahead for an escape route – or a safe zone if you’re unable to evacuate – is also essential. You won’t always know what direction the fire is coming from, so it’s important to have more than one way out. Also, in the event you have to shelter on your property or in your community, identify a zone that is clear of vegetation. This could be somewhere that has large areas of concrete, well-maintained short grass or large volumes of water.

Heed emergency and extreme weather warnings 

In an emergency, John Price from the National Emergency Management Agency Te Rākau Whakamarumaru (NEMA) advises having a grab bag ready with emergency supplies in case you need to evacuate. He also recommends visiting the Civil Defence website or listening to the radio for up-to-date information. If you feel your life is in danger, you should always call 111. 

Emergency checklist

To be prepared for a disaster, NEMA advises having the following items ready:

Drinking water for at least three days (nine litres per person)

• Work gloves
• Toilet paper and buckets
• Properly fitted P2 or N95 masks
• Long-lasting food that doesn’t need cooking

In a grab bag, pack essential items for every family member, including: 

• Walking shoes
• Warm clothes, raincoat, hat
• Water and snack food
• Cash (in case EFTPOS machines aren’t working)
• Hand sanitiser
• Portable phone charger
• Copies of important documents and photo ID
• First aid kit
• Medications
• Mask or face covering
• Torch
• Radio
• Batteries 

Keep in mind… 

Always check with your local authority if watering restrictions apply in your area, and adjust timer settings to suit.

Want ‘cleaner’ air inside your home?

Check out these simple ways to improve indoor air quality. 

Photo credit: Gap Photos/Richard Bloom, Getty Images, Gap Photos/Brent Wilson. 

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Sources:  
^{1, 2 & 3}Our Atmosphere and Climate report 2023, Ministry for the Environment and Stats NZ. 
⁵civildefence.govt.nz/resources/national-hazardscape-report.