New Zealand sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire. We have regular earthquakes, volcanic risk, flooding, and cyclones. Emergency management authorities have consistently found that the families who recover fastest from disasters are those who had their documents prepared in advance. Insurance claims, benefit applications, emergency accommodation, and evacuation assistance all require documents β and in an emergency, you may have minutes to leave your home.
This guide tells you exactly which 15 documents to prepare, and how to ensure they're accessible even if your home isn't.
Why This Matters More in New Zealand
Christchurch 2011. KaikΕura 2016. Cyclone Gabrielle 2023. Each of these events displaced thousands of families, some within minutes of the emergency occurring. Insurance companies, WINZ, and KΔinga Ora all require identity and policy documents to process emergency support. Without them, assistance is delayed by days or weeks.
Civil Defence guidance recommends having an emergency kit ready for at least 3 days of self-sufficiency. Documents are as important as food and water β but far easier to prepare.
The 15 Documents
Identity (5)
- Passports β every family member, including children
- Birth certificates β originals, or certified copies
- Marriage or civil union certificate
- Driver's licences β carry physical card, also keep digital copy
- Residency / visa documentation (for non-citizens)
Financial (5)
- All insurance policies β home, contents, vehicle, health, life
- Bank account details β institution, account numbers, at minimum one card
- KiwiSaver provider and account number
- Property title or tenancy agreement β proof you live where you say you live
- Vehicle registration certificate
Health & Legal (5)
- Health insurance card and policy number
- Current medication list β with dosages, for every family member
- Will and Enduring Power of Attorney
- Emergency contacts list β written down, not just in your phone
- Immunisation records β especially children's
Two Copies: Physical and Digital
The most resilient system uses two layers:
- Physical copy in a waterproof bag β in your emergency grab bag, kept near the front door. Use a zip-lock bag inside a document folder. A small fireproof document bag (available from hardware stores for ~$40β80) adds another layer of protection.
- Secure digital copy β stored in a cloud-based system like DocStow, accessible from any device even if your home is inaccessible. If your house burns down or floods, your documents are still there.
The digital copy is the more important of the two. If you evacuate without your physical bag, your documents should still be retrievable from your phone within seconds.
The Emergency Contacts List
Phones run out of battery, contacts get lost, and digital services can be unavailable after a major event. Write these down on paper and keep them with your documents:
- Two out-of-area family contacts (someone who can coordinate if local lines are down)
- Home insurance 24-hour claims line
- Vehicle insurance 24-hour line
- Health insurer emergency number
- Your GP's after-hours number
- Local Civil Defence emergency number
- Your bank's 24-hour line and card cancellation number
Keeping It Current
An emergency kit with 5-year-old passports and an insurance policy you've since upgraded is better than nothing β but not by much. Set a reminder to review your emergency kit once per year (Civil Defence recommends November, before the summer storm season).
If you store your documents in DocStow, your digital emergency kit updates automatically whenever you add or renew a document. Your physical bag only needs an annual refresh.