Solar-powered, wind-up radios for New Zealand’s most vulnerable communities and households.

Following the 2023 floods and cyclones that devastated New Zealand’s north and east, FEBC New Zealand has established a project to place our signature emergency radios in susceptible communities. In and following the kinds of natural disasters New Zealand has experienced recently, having a reliable source of information is vital. Solar-powered, wind-up radios are a convenient way to stay informed when there are disruptions to electrical power, internet, and mobile networks.

Our “Clever Radios” have the following features:

• AM & FM receiver
• Solar-powered
• Wind-up powered
• Battery powered (3x AAA)
• Mains-powered
• LED torch
• Siren for attracting help
• Red LED beacon light

When you support the NZ Emergency Radio Project you are providing these vital radios to communities in New Zealand that are most prone to natural disasters such as flood, cyclone, and earthquake, tsunami and volcanic activity.

Via a network of community organisations throughout the country, FEBC New Zealand currently distributes emergency radios to Northland, Coromandel, Napier, Hastings, Wairoa, Gisborne, Tairawhiti, and Wairarapa. In cooperation with Civil Defence and national and local authorities, we aim to prioritise the most vulnerable communities to supply. As the fund allows, we donate radios for circulation based entirely on need. If your church or community group has engagement in a community where these radios would be helpful and valued, please contact FEBC’s Emergency Radio Project coordinator, Matt Perry here.

Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023 in particular, taught us that we need reliable sources of information and links to radio when disaster strikes. Our power grid and cell phone tower system only has back-up resources for hours, not days. Most households rely on the local power grid to supply their media devices. Cell towers and exchanges were badly compromised when the mains went down. Even cell towers that still had power could not connect to each other because the fibre optic cables that link them were broken by landslips and floods.

A radio that needs no mains or internet supply is the best source of information in an emergency. One that doesn’t even rely on batteries is ideal. FEBC NZ has been supplying these radios (DE13) to New Zealanders since 2016, and there are more than 2600 in homes. They are available for private purchase via our online Shop, and for emergency aid distribution via this project.

Please click Donate, and choose from the drop-down menu: “NZ Emergency Radios” (or type “NZ emergency radios” in the comments section). Thank you.

For more information about this project and funding, please call FEBC’s Emergency Radio Project coordinator, Matt Perry, 0800 433 226.

Click the image above to open a downloadable A4 Civil Defence Checklist to help get you and your loved ones through an emergency.

[Flood picture credit, AFP via Aljazeera: https://www.aljazeera.com/gallery/2023/2/14/photos-new-zealand-declares-emergency-as-cyclone-gabrielle-eases]