A can in case for Y2K

By PAUL YANDALL

Colin and Anne Andrews plan to stay well fed, watered and informed, if society suddenly collapses under the weight of the millennium bug on January 1, 2000.

The Takapuna couple have been preparing for months for the Y2K bug, and, according to the latest Y2K Readiness Commission survey, they are not the only ones packing away the essentials for the bug day.

Ninety-nine percent of New Zealanders are now aware of the Y2K problem, with 75 percent either prepared or preparing for possible New Year's disruptions, according to the Commission's third Y2K survey of the public released yesterday(20/10).

The study, which surveyed 1,006 households, also showed that alongside a growing awareness of the problem was a rising sense of optimism over the country's ability to cope with any Y2K disruptions.

Despite their preparations for the worse, Colin and Anne Andrews were counting themselves among the 65 percent of New Zealanders the survey found were not concerned about the bug.

"I can honestly say that I don't believe it's going to be an issue," said Mrs Andrews.

"But nobody really knows, do they?"

The couple have a handy supply of canned food and water that they hope will keep them going for up to five days if the need be. They will also be listening out on their radio for the latest updates on any emergency.

Mrs Andrews said they had signed onto the local supermarket's Christmas club savings plan that will enable them to purchase food without cash in case the banking system crashes.

She said there was little they had not planned for, but they still had some questions for the commission: "If the sewer system failed and we had to use the bucket and plastic bags [the Commission is recommending], what do we do with the bags?"

"What about cars with computers in them? Are they safe to drive?"

Director of the Y2K Readiness Commission, Clare Pinder, said people should contact their local government to find out if it preferred locals to bury their waste or put it out with their rubbish.

Although cars going Y2K bug berserk was unlikely, people who owned vehicles run extensively by computers should contact their suppliers for advice if they were concerned.

Clare Pinder said the commission's $2.5 million information campaign, which included the popular Ken the cockroach television advertisements, had been "spectacularly effective".

"All the trends are moving in the right direction. People are being reassured by the campaign and not concerned."