1. Food in long term storage incl. pet and baby foods
Having enough food for your family to survive, is part of being ready for anything. Make sure to only keep food on hand that your family will actually consume.
2. Water
In order to live we require access to potable water. While water filters can provide long term solutions to get more water, you should also have at least a weeks’ worth of drinking water in storage. Consider purchasing some 20l containers and filling them yourself rather than purchasing individual water bottles.
3. Salt
The minerals and electrolytes that salt offers are essential for a healthy body and are important for both seasoning and preserving food. In the event that the nearby stores are closed, salt will be a great bartering item as it has in the past.
4. Dog
The man’s best friend may come in handy during the collapse. The best breeds to own? You can never go wrong with a German shepherd or a Rottweiler as a conventional guard dog. If you hunt frequently and live off the land, take hunting dog breeds into consideration. Stock up on food, water, and medications for your canine companion.
5. Cash
Having spare cash (2 weeks to a months’ worth) on hand will prove useful in a case of financial collapse where credit cards might cease to function, even if this would fit more under the category of financial security.
6. Water containers
It makes sense to have a few spare water containers ready, that can be filled at the very start of a disaster or before it (i.e. before a violent storm hits) as tap water will often be available for a few hours even after a disaster, before municipal water reservoirs run dry.
7. Water filter
Water from natural sources might not be suitable to drink, therefore having one or more water filters is important. Make sure you have the right one for your needs. In a prolonged scenario these would become very valuable bartering items
8. Goodies like coffee, chocolate, biscuits
Besides being good bartering items, little treats like coffee, chocolate or biscuits can lift the mood during difficult times.
9. Generator
You can avoid food spoiling by powering your fridge, maintain a degree of comfort, and charge batteries of flashlights and radios by occasionally running your generator.
10. Solar charger
Even a small solar charger will be enough to charge small devices like your phone or torches. Without the need for additional fuel. In comparison to their full-sized counter parts, they are cheaper, and much more portable.
11. Jerry can with petrol/diesel
Considering the current state of global politics and oil markets, it is definitely a good idea to have some petrol (in jerry cans) on hand to fuel your car or generator. Keep in mind that petrol won’t last forever, so you will have to rotate it out, i.e. use it up in your car and refill the jerry can. Additives can make the fuel last longer.
12. Firewood
Firewood, especially seasoned firewood is an essential commodity to stay warm during winter and provides fuel for cooking, be it for in an indoor or outdoor fireplace.
13. Propane/butane cartridges
Even if you have firewood and a fireplace that allows cooking. Gas stoves are much faster and produce no smoke. Small camping gas cartridges are readily available at Mitre 10, Bunnings or warehouse.
14. Gas stove/camp stoves
To go with your gas cartridges. They are cheap, lightweight and perfectly capable of boiling water.
15. Candles
Candles are a great and cheap way for lighting in case the grid goes down.
16. Lighter/matches/fire striker
Keep an assortment of lighters, matches and fire strikers on hand to ensure you are able to light a fire for cooking, heat and light at any time.
17. Fire starters/tinder
Even if you don’t necessarily need them, Fire starters and dry tinder make starting a fire way easier.
18. Fire extinguisher
To be prepared means to be ready for the unexpected. Catching a little flame before it grows out of control could perhaps save your property if the Fire Department is no longer in operation. Get an extinguisher and know how to use it.
19. Fire Alarm
Prepping isn’t always about the end of the world. In case of a fire during the night fire alarms can save your families live.
20. Spare batteries for all your battery powered gadgets
You should always have a lot of batteries in your stock.
21. Torches
Torches and headlamps are definitely the best portable light source when the grid goes down and many other situations.
22. Cast iron cookware
If properly maintained, good cast iron can last a lifetime. This adaptable cookware is great for cooking at home and even on open fire if need be.
23. Manual kitchen utensils
Be sure to have manual (unpowered) kitchen utensils like can openers, whisks, and hand.
24. Jars (canning jars)
Canning jars serve many purposes. Obviously, you can use them for canning and preserving fruit, meat and vegetables but they can be also quite useful for shorter term storing of foods or keeping small items dry and protected from pests.
25. Disposable Plates
Paper plates are cheap and lightweight. In a scenario where water is sparse, paper plates give you the advantage that they don’t need washing.
26. Disposable cutlery
For the same reasons as paper plates
27. Tinfoil
Tinfoil has many purposes during a SHTF situation. You can use it as cookware, as food wrapping, plate alternative, and you can wear it as a hat…, just joking.
28. Coffee filters
Coffee filter are a great and cheap tool to pre filter water, crafting little funnels, use as teabag for your home-grown herbs and brew to coffee of course.
29. Good knives and sharpening tools
Having some good knives at home is an obvious choice, however most people forget proper knife sharpening tools. A good whetstone will help you keep your knives sharp for a long time.
30. Zip Lock bags
Zip lock bags are great to keep small things dry and are of course great for wrapping food.
31. Assortment on cleaning products
In a SHTF scenario, good hygiene is incredibly important to battle diseases and infections. Therefore, keeping a good supply on hand is definitely an advantage.
32. Methylated spirits /Rubbing alcohol
Rubbing alcohol/ Spirits have more than one use. You can use it for cleaning, disinfecting and since is burns quite clean, it is suitable for indoor heating/cooking.
33. Bleach
In a survival situation, regular bleach has various applications. Bleach can be used for routine cleaning, disinfecting tools and supplies, and purifying water.
34. Caustic soda
Caustic soda has two major purposes. You can use it as a strong cleaner and it can be used to make soap.
35. Personal hygiene products
Things like Soap, shampoo or deo are important for your own personal hygiene and wellbeing. In addition to that they’ll make great bartering goods.
36. Body cleansing wipes
In survival situations where water is sparse, you don’t want to have to waste water for personal hygiene. Body cleaning wipes or baby wipes can alleviate this problem.
37. Toothbrush/ spare toothbrushes/ toothpaste
The last thing you want to have when SHTF is an aching tooth. Therefore, it is important to take good care of your teeth.
38. Sun protection
The New Zealand sun can be harsh. To spare yourself the pain of sunburn, keep a supply of sun screen in stock. Also hats and shirts with SPF are a great thing.
39. Feminine Hygiene Products
Make sure you have a sufficient supply of your chosen feminine hygiene products available if you are a woman or have women in your household. Even if you don’t frequently use them, think about including some in your emergency supply box. A reusable menstrual cup might be a good investment as well.
40. Baby products (diapers)
If there are babies in your household, consider them in your preparation plan. Things like disposable diapers and/or cloth nappies, formula or other baby supplies might be hard to come by when the grid goes down.
41. Birth control/Condoms
Keep supplies of birth control especially condoms on hand, because getting pregnant during a disaster might not be best timing. For woman it might be useful to start FAM (fertility awareness method) as an additional contraception method.
42. Pregnancy tests
Well, birth control can fail, to be sure, having some pregnancy tests might come in handy.
43. Toilet paper/Kleenex/Paper towel
We all experienced empty toilet paper shelves before *cough*
44. Spare light bulbs
Prepping isn’t only for the total collapse of society. Luckily LEDs nowadays last a lot longer than the old lightbulbs. They still will eventually fail, having a few spares will be helpful.
45. Hot water bottle
Many homes today are only heated by heat pumps. In case the electricity is gone during winter a hot water bottle in your bed can make a big difference.
46. Buckets
Buckets have multiple purposes, you can use them for storing food, other items, catching water, waste or making a makeshift loo.
47. Dehumidifier
In case of a disaster, you might not be able to keep your whole house properly heated. The resulting moisture might damage your food storage. Therefore, add some dehumidifiers to keep equipment dry.
48. Rubbish bags
Try to keep some different sized rubbish bags in stock. During disaster it is crucial to take proper care of rubbish in order to avoid potential disease and pests.
49. Sewing equipment
You will want a suitable sewing kit and equipment in order to repair torn clothing, tents, tarps, sleeping bags, etc.
50. First aid kits (bandages, plasters etc.)
An assembled first aid kit will include a variety of supplies. Additionally, you can add in frequently used goods like bandages, antibacterial cream, and antihistamines. Once more, this is something that every home should have on hand at all times.
51. Blister plaster
Blisters can stop you from walking or hiking far more quickly than anything else. Keep some blister patches in your kit so you can patch up your feet if you have to.
52. Antiseptic ointment
To treat all sorts of scratches and little cuts, and prevent infections.
53. Ibuprophen
Ibuprophen is great for treating pain and inflammation and should definitely be part of your stock.
54. Paracetamol
Paracetamol is another great painkiller and helps lowering fevers.
55. Aspirin
Aspirin (aspro clear) is a very versatile medication for sore throats, has blood thinning properties, and is great for removing blood stains out of your laundry.
56. Medical Thermometer
Access to a medical thermometer should always be possible, to find out whether you have a fever.
57. Caffeine capsules
In an extreme situation staying awake and alert, might be necessary. Caffeine capsules are a great thing to have, since you can use them right away without having to brew a cup of coffee or tea.
58. Vitamins and minerals
When food is sparse, Vitamins and Minerals are a great way to battle deficiencies on the short term.
59. Face masks (N95)
Because after the pandemic is before the pandemic.
60. Rubber gloves
Rubber gloves are a great way to protect your hands against pathogens or harsh chemicals like bleach.
61. Vaseline
This topical ointment is mostly used for rashes, windburn, and skin protection.
62. Tweezers
Everyone who ever had a splinter stuck in his finger knows, this is an absolute must have.
63. Tent
Having a portable shelter that is lightweight and can be carried by one person is essential for your bug out bag.
64. Sleeping bag
You’ll want to be warm if you have to sleep outside. Always combine your sleeping bag with an insulated sleeping mat, as the sleeping bag will not protect you from the cold ground.
65. Well-fitting hiking shoes
Even if you don’t plan for it, bugging out and covering longer distances by foot, might be a necessity. Therefore, good fitting hiking shoes are essential. Practice using them.
66. Large well-fitting backpack
When bugging out you might end up carrying a lot of gear. Everyone who has ever carried a heavy backpack over a longer distance knows that a good fit is essential.
67. Fishing supplies
New Zealand is surrounded by the ocean and has countless rivers and lakes. If you have fishing supplies ready and know how to use them you will have
68. Hunting gear
Even if there is no SHTF situation, with current food prices hunting is a great way to fill the freezer.
69. Multitool
A quality multitool is a necessity for any outdoorsman or prepper.
70. Heirloom Seeds
It might make sense to keep some heirloom seeds. In addition to naturally growing fresh veggies, seeds will always be in high demand during SHTF.
71. Gardening tools
Gardening might be an important part of your survival strategy; therefore, you should keep the right tools on hand.
72. Tools
Power tools make the job simple, but it’s a good idea to have some manual equipment on hand as well. Think about hatchets, axes, manual drills, and bow saws.
73. Axe
Important tool to split firewood and kindling, which will probably be your main fuel source.
74. Rope
Definitely a must have.
75. Shovel
Important for gardening and waste “management”.
76. Spare wood/timber
This will definitely come in handy to build and fix things around the house. Think about having some bigger plywood sheets on hand as well, to cover up (broken) windows.
77. Duct tape
Handy for repairs and a lot of other things
78. Fasteners
You have timber/plywood and hand tools, but without screws or nails you will not be able to do achieve much
79. Cable ties
Also incredibly versatile.
80. Tarp
Tarps can be used for a variety of purposes, including gathering rainwater, acting as an emergency shelter, concealing tools and equipment, and much more!
81. Super glue
Super glue is great for fixing stuff, but can be also used to close little cuts in your skin during a SHTF situation.
82. WD-40
WD-40 is one of these items with many, many functions, it can act as rust potection, can get rid of moisture, helps loosen rusty screws, can help clean away glue and other residues and unclogs propane nozzles.
83. Wire
New Zealand is built with wire no.8.
84. Twine
Emergency shoelaces or for tying plants.
85. Jumper cables
You should always keep a set of jumper wires in your car’s emergency kit.
86. Mosquito/Sandfly control (spray, nets)
Especially when you live in areas with many sandflys or plan to bug out there.
87. Pest control
mousetraps, ant traps, and cockroach traps.
88. Warm clothing (wool)
Make sure to have both thermal tops and bottoms to wear under your attire. Also, beanies, scarves, gloves, and caps, to keep you warm while bugging out or if heating is no longer available.
89. Rain gear
Rubber boots will keep your feet dry, and a raincoat will make managing outdoor duties much easier when it’s raining.
90. Gloves
Wearing durable gloves will prevent damage to your hands while gardening or cleaning.
91. High vis west
Should be in your car emergency kit in case of a breakdown, especially if it happens during the night.
92. Wrist Watch (Preferably water proof)
A good watch is a great companion in the field. Here it might make sense to invest a little bit more into something durable.
93. Board and card games
You will want to keep yourself and your family entertained if there is no more tv/Netflix. A game night with your family will lift your spirits, even without SHTF.
94. Books (knowledge and entertainment)
A good prepper library (real books on the shelf) is important, because it will provide you with information, when google isn’t there anymore. In addition to non-fiction books, some novels (ones you haven’t read yet) might be a good idea, as well.
95. Chilly bin
To keep food cool while on the move.
96. Bicycle
If petrol costs rise dramatically or there are energy shortages, bicycles may once again become highly popular. Have a reliable mountain bike with spare tyres and the tools necessary to maintain it.
97. Writing materials (paper and pens)
To keep notes, draw sketches and plan when computers are no longer available after an SHTF.
98. Wine and spirits
On the one hand spirits are a great way for preserving foods and disinfecting and on the other hand you occasionally might want to enjoy a nice glass of wine post-apocalypse.
99. Radio
An emergency radio that provides access to basic FM/AM radio stations and keeps you informed in emergency scenarios
Did I forget anything? Let me know in the comments.