Small steps: Older adults gather to build resilience and preparedness
Published on 04 August 2026
“With all the uncertainty happening around us, building confidence in your own preparedness is a key focus for many people these days. For older adults, there is a balance in adjusting to the pace of ageing while also finding opportunities to share the great wisdom life experience has given us.” – Robin Lieffering, Small Steps Towards Building Resilience workshop participant.
That spirit was at the heart of the Small Steps Towards Building Resilience workshop, which was held on Monday 6 July 2026 at Whangārei Central Library.
The session brought together 27 older adults for a practical conversation about preparedness, resilience and connection. With guidance from Hato Hone St John, Civil Defence Emergency Management, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand, participants explored resources and began developing practical household plans to take home.
A key message was that preparedness does not need to feel overwhelming. Household plans can be a simple prompt to get organised, have important conversations and revisit key information, so whānau, neighbours and support people know what to do when it matters.
Participants also reflected on their own resilience and preparedness, with most describing themselves as somewhat resilient and somewhat prepared. It opened up an honest conversation about where people felt confident and where they wanted more support, and offered a useful prompt for us all – when did you last think about how prepared you are?
The discussion also gave people a safe space to name their biggest concerns and learn from one another. The conversations continually returned to the valuable experience and wisdom already present in the room. In an emergency, it is often neighbours, whānau and local communities who look after each other until emergency services and help arrives.
Older adults bring valuable life experience and wisdom to emergencies. When asked what resilience tips they would share with others, the ideas came quickly – keep the BBQ gas bottle full, have LED lights and a solar-powered lamp handy, store fold-down buckets, keep water-purifier tablets or clorogene available, know your neighbours, prepare a grab bag by the door and have this separate to your three-day household supplies, keep medical supplies in the car and store copies of important documents in a fireproof container. Just as importantly, people talked about staying calm and taking time to breathe in emergency situations.
The workshop was delivered as part of Whangarei District Council’s commitment to the Age Friendly Whangārei Action Plan in partnership with Hato Hone St John, Civil Defence Emergency Management, and Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
A video and podcast are also being developed so the best insights from the session can be shared more widely.
Thank you to everyone who attended, contributed and shared so generously. The workshop was a reminder that resilience is not built alone; it grows through small steps, shared knowledge and strong local connections.