Preparing for a power cut
What matters most in a power cut, what official guidance in New Zealand says, and long-life food that suits it.
In a power cut, the things that matter most are torch, spare batteries, charged power bank, battery or wind-up radio. Leave one light switched on so you know when the power is back.1
What matters most
- Torch Essential
A torch for each part of the home you'd need to move around in the dark. - Spare batteries
The right sizes for your torch and radio. - Charged power bank
To keep a phone charged during a power cut. - Battery or wind-up radio
To hear updates if mobile networks are down. - Blankets or sleeping bags
To keep everyone warm if the heating is off. - Warm clothing
Layers, hats and gloves that are easy to find. - Manual tin opener
A tin opener that doesn't need electricity. - Some cash
Card machines and cash points may not work in a power cut. - Plan for medication that needs a fridge Essential
Know how you'd keep it cool during a power cut. - Backup plan for powered equipment Essential
A backup power source or plan for equipment that needs electricity.
What official guidance in New Zealand says
- Leave one light switched on so you know when the power is back.1
- In NZ, people who rely on powered medical equipment should apply for 'medically dependent consumer' status with their power company.1
Water and food for a few days
For two adults, SupKit's figures for 3 days are:
| 3 days | |
|---|---|
| Drinking water | 18 L |
| Food energy | 56,484 kJ (13,500 Cal) |
Long-life food that suits a power cut
Each of these keeps without a fridge and doesn't need the fridge once opened:
- Tinned chilli
- Tinned soup
- Baked beans
- Microwave rice pouch
- Tinned tuna
- Crackers
- Peanut butter
- Dried fruit and nuts
- Cereal bars
- Tinned fruit
Allergies, dietary needs and children
Plan around everyone at home: allergies, intolerances and diets come first, and familiar food matters most for children. Recipes vary between brands, so always read the label of the product you buy.
| Food | Typical allergens | Typically suitable for |
|---|---|---|
| Tinned chilli | varies by recipe | check the label |
| Tinned soup | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Baked beans | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Microwave rice pouch 250g | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan |
| Tinned tuna | fish | check the label |
| Crackers | cereals containing gluten | vegan |
| Peanut butter | peanuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Dried fruit and nuts | tree nuts | vegan, gluten free |
| Cereal bars | varies by recipe | vegetarian |
| Tinned fruit | none of the main allergens in its main ingredient | vegan, gluten free |
Typical allergens and diets are SupKit's guide to the main ingredient, not a product's label.
- Under the joint Australia New Zealand code, labels must declare wheat, fish, shellfish, egg, milk, lupin, peanut, soy, sesame, named tree nuts, gluten cereals and added sulphites.2
- Allergens must be in bold in the ingredient list, plus a separate bold summary starting with 'Contains' near the ingredients.2
- 'May contain' statements are voluntary and not regulated by the Food Standards Code.2
Young children
- Avoid giving honey to babies under 12 months because it can cause infant botulism.3
Questions
What do I need for a power cut?
Torch, Spare batteries, Charged power bank, Battery or wind-up radio, Blankets or sleeping bags, Warm clothing, Manual tin opener, Some cash, Plan for medication that needs a fridge, Backup plan for powered equipment.
Sources
- Power outages, Electricity Authority (New Zealand). Checked 28 October 2026.
- Allergen labelling for consumers, Food Standards Australia New Zealand. Checked 28 October 2026.
- Botulism, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. Checked 28 October 2026.
We summarise official guidance in our own words. Always follow advice from your local authorities.
