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New Zealand

Cyclone Gita: Kiwis stocking up on survival booze, chocolate

3 minutes to read
Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi on Tropical Cyclone Gita after being briefed at MetService in Wellington. / Video by Mark Mitchell

Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi on Tropical Cyclone Gita after being briefed at MetService in Wellington. / Video by Mark Mitchell

NZ Herald

As Cyclone Gita comes barrelling towards New Zealand, Kiwis are updating their survival kits with some rather left-field items.

With Gita set to strike New Zealand this afternoon, Kiwis have flocked to the supermarkets as they prepare to batten down the hatches.

But instead of buying water, batteries and canned food, Kiwis shared their survival necessities - which included wine and chocolate.

Taking to social media, Joane Bowley posted her "emergency survival kit", equipped with Whittaker's West Coast Buttermilk Caramelised White Chocolate, a bottle of champagne and a Central Otago Pinot Noir.

While Wellington resident Sue Teodoro's survival kit featured a radio, water, heavy duty scotch tape, hammer and nails, she conveniently remembered to add a bottle of wine and Lindy chilli dark chocolate to the stash of necessities.

"All prepped for #TCGita #CycloneGita #Wellingtonstyle #Wellington" she wrote.

Others decided to extend their survival kit with delicious snacks, including bags of chips and rice pudding.

"Refreshed the emergency food and water stash ahead of #CycloneGita, and for any of nature's other nasties! #nzlife #getreadygetthru #ricepudding #whittakers" Chris Wilson wrote.

Despite warnings to stay indoors, some Kiwis appear keen to not let Cyclone Gita get in the way of their everyday activities.

One Twitter user said it's time to defy the weather, saying any day is a good day for a "bevvie and BBQ".

With Cyclone Gita fast approaching, bottled water has been flying off the shelves in supermarkets along with tinned food, soup and batteries, according to a Wellington New World worker.

While Kiwis are enjoying their new stash of chocolate and wine, a group of NZ dietitians and registered nutritionists have compiled handy tips to help ensure you're ready for natural disasters.

ABC Nutrition's team of experts reported that Kiwis need to stock up on 3L of clean water per person per day.

They suggest keeping a supply of dried fruit, veggies, fish, meat, cereals, pasta, rice and oats.

Dried nuts, seeds and muesli bars and powdered milk are also encouraged.

In the event of a power outage, Kiwis should use refrigerated items first - to be consumed in four hours - before using frozen goods within two days.

Can openers, cutlery, cooking pots, camping stove or BBQ, lighters and sanitisers should be part of your emergency supply.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• Cyclone Gita is barrelling towards NZ and is due to hit landfall this afternoon
• The category 2 tropical cyclone is expected to unleash flooding, winds up to 140km/h and waves up to 7 metres
• Heavy rain warnings are in place for Nelson, Buller, Marlborough (including Kaikoura Coast), Wellington, Westland and the Canterbury high country.
• Strong wind warnings were in place for Taranaki, Taihape, Whanganui, Nelson and Buller, Marlborough, Westland and Canterbury.
• West Coast mayors will decide this morning whether to declare a state of emergency.
• Pets should be kept inside for their safety