What's the Plan, Stan?

Learn about emergencies

Natural hazards can be frightening. They can strike at any time and often without warning. Explore the types of emergencies below and learn better ways to prepare.

Meet the I.M.P.A.C.T.S. Team

The I.M.P.A.C.T.S. Team are a group of young superheroes, just like you. They are prepared in case an emergency comes that involves you, your whānau and your whole community. Kids like you can and do make a difference. So, join the I.M.P.A.C.T.S. Team — and be prepared for whatever comes your way.

Meet the I.M.P.A.C.T.S Team

Colouring pages

Download and print our colouring pages. Stan and the IMPACT Team are getting ready for different natural hazards.

Download colouring pages
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  • What is What's the Plan Stan?

    What’s the Plan Stan? is a free resource to support schools, teachers and students develop the knowledge and skills to prepare for emergency events.

    With this resource, teachers can design learning opportunities that develop the key competencies. It challenges students’ ideas and responses.

    It also helps management teams work with staff to plan curriculum-based emergency education.

    What’s the Plan Stan? aligns with the vision, values and principles of The New Zealand Curriculum. Emergency event education grows resilience and awareness. It helps students connect to and take part in their community. Schools can focus on the emergency events that are most likely to happen in their area. Schools and students can spread the message of preparedness across the community.

    Lesson ideas for teachers

    What's the Plan, Stan? has suggestions for teaching and learning programmes for students in years 1–8. They focus on emergency events and the impacts they could have on your community.

    At years 1–4, students will be able to:

    • explore the impact of emergency events in New Zealand on the environment and people
    • investigate an emergency event that could happen in their local area and the scientific explanation for why it happens
    • take action to prepare for an emergency and lessen the impact on themselves and others, and
    • understand the role of Civil Defence and the Earthquake Commission.

    At years 4–8, students will be able to:

    • expand on earlier learnings
    • explore emergency events in a local context
    • understand the local and historical impact
    • understand the science behind the phenomenon, and
    • know preparation strategies and tips.

    While the content of this resource is more advanced, the anxiety that students feel about the subject matter could well be the same. What's the Plan Stan? also provides advice on ways to help students overcome this anxiety.

    These learning experiences can be adapted to your local area and school curriculum. The aim is for the learning to be student-led, so the resource is designed to allow flexibility.

    Find times for practising drills relevant to your emergency focus. Before the drills, explain why a drill is necessary and why each drill is different depending on the emergency. The time and frequency of these drills will follow school policies and procedures. 


    What's the Plan Stan? is brought to you by the National Emergency Management Agency with support from the Earthquake Commission (EQC).

    The Earthquake Commission (EQC) helps New Zealanders to prepare their homes and property for natural disasters and to rebuild lives afterwards.

    EQC provides insurance for damage to residential property that results from volcanoes, natural landslips, hydrothermal activity and tsunami, as well as earthquakes. It administers the Natural Disaster Fund and obtains reinsurance, and it funds research and education on natural disasters and ways to reduce their impact. 

Earthquake Commission logo

What's the Plan, Stan? is proudly supported by the Earthquake Commission.