Auckland Civil Defence says people living in the country's largest city are the worst prepared for a civil emergency.
It says a survey by Colmar Brunton for the Ministry of Civil Defence suggests nearly 60% of Aucklanders are not sufficiently prepared for a natural disaster.
The city's emergency management advisor says the survey indicates half of all New Zealand households have an emergency plan, but in Auckland only a third of households have prepared one.
Jim Stevens says it found that Aucklanders are aware they need to be prepared, but are complacent.
"All we are saying is that it is up to people to be more prepared themselves, within their communities, to ensure that their chance of survival is far greater than it may be if they're waiting for someone to help them."
Mr Stevens says every household needs to have an emergency plan and survival kit, with food and supplies for at least three days.
