Y2K checklist arriving in all New Zealand letter boxes this week
Advice on how people should prepare for possible interruptions to essential services due to Y2K will be mailed out to
all New Zealand households this week.
The Y2K Readiness Commission’s brochure outlines how people should prepare for possible interruptions to one or more
essential services between 31 December and 31 March 2000. A fridge magnet provides a handy checklist and daily reminder
of what should be in a household’s B Ready Kit.
Y2K Readiness Commission Chairman, Basil Logan, said that the checklist makes it easy to prepare for Y2K.
“Collecting the items on the checklist so as to create their own B Ready Kit should take little time, and will prepare
the household to cope with any Y2K related interruptions to essential services such as power, water, and sewerage.
“Many of the items required for the B Ready Kit are already likely to be around the home and just need to be checked off
for the kit. Many homes may have special requirements, such as medicines or food for the pet.
“Let’s bear in mind that it will be much like preparing for a long weekend. The Commission’s view is that any
interruptions are likely to be localised and of short duration – However we believe it would be wise to prepare for
possible interruptions of up to three days in the period from 31 December to end of March 2000.
“We hope that by issuing the checklist now, we will prompt New Zealanders to prepare well before 31 December.”
National research conducted for the Y2K Readiness Commission in July has shown that people want information on what they
can do to plan for Y2K, what may happen in their household and where they can get help if there is a problem.
Mr Logan said the brochure and fridge magnet provides people with the information they want. “The advice is clear and
simple and very easy to follow,” he said.
“We hope that this information will spur into action the 24 percent of New Zealanders who tell us they do not plan to
prepare for Y2K, as well as help those who do intend to prepare.
“By spending a little time now, New Zealanders can enjoy the New Year celebrations well prepared. As Ken the Cockroach
says, it’s easy to prepare – all it takes is a little bit of planning and a little bit of thought.”
ENDS