The main focus for Get Ready Week in the Bay of Plenty was to encourage people to sign up for text and email alerts, which could be done on the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence website.
"It's also a good reminder to think about what you would do in an emergency and make sure you have your emergency kit ready."
Civil Defence spokesman Vince Cholewa said New Zealand was prone to a number of natural disasters, but floods were the country's most frequent and costly hazard.
Landslides were frequent thanks to our steep slopes, active tectonics and high rainfall.
"But while we have high incidences of landslides, there are few deaths because of our low population density."
New Zealand sat right in the path of the "Roaring Forties" winds, which travelled thousands of kilometres bringing rain, rough seas and sometimes snow, Mr Cholewa said.
Other hazards included 20-30 tornadoes a year - lasting usually less than 15 minutes and most common on the West Coast, and up to 20,000 earthquakes each year.
However, only 150 of these were felt, with an average of 10-20 magnitude 5, and one magnitude 6, quakes a year.
"We get about one magnitude 7 a decade."
Volcanic fields in Taranaki, the North Island Central Plateau, Bay of Plenty, Auckland, Whangarei and the Bay of Islands also posed a risk.
"The Auckland volcanic field is probably the most closely monitored volcanic field in the world."
Mr Cholewa said Kiwis should aim to be able to "look after yourself and your loved ones for at least three days or more".
"Many emergencies will affect essential services and possibly disrupt your ability to travel or communicate with each other.
"You may be confined to your home, or forced to evacuate your neighbourhood. In the immediate aftermath of a disaster, emergency services will not be able to get help to everyone as quickly as needed."
Families and households should agree on an emergency plan, and speak to their local council or go to the Get Ready Get Thru website for help.
