What's the Plan Stan?
Challenge
Emergencies can strike at any time, from earthquakes and floods to storms, disease outbreaks, or even zombies. Yet for many children, being prepared feels distant and abstract. According to the 2016 Disaster Preparedness Survey conducted by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, only about 14 percent of New Zealand households were fully prepared. This meant having plans for when they were not at home, stored water, and regularly updated emergency supplies. Around 25% were prepared at home, with some emergency items and plans, but not to the same level. The challenge was clear: how do we make safety training memorable, and something children want to share with their families?
Solution
Created for New Zealand Civil Defence and supported by the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake, What’s the Plan, Stan? was designed to give kids the knowledge and confidence to act when it matters most.
Players join the IMPACTS Team, a group of young superheroes
Build emergency kits, identify hazards, and choose the right actions.
Strategic "mistakes" in the gameplay become valuable lessons
Encourages problem-solving and critical thinking.
Supplementary lesson plans make it easy for teachers to integrate
Fun, repeatable format means kids keep coming back to practice their skills.
Positive Impact
Schools across New Zealand use the game to strengthen emergency preparedness from an early age.
● Students remember safety steps more clearly,
● Parents hear their children talking about what to do in different emergencies,
● Councils value how it delivers consistent, accessible safety education. Free to play on desktop or laptop, it is a simple, scalable way to build resilience in communities.
Overview
Emergencies can strike at any time, from earthquakes and floods to storms, disease outbreaks, or even zombies. Yet for many children, being prepared feels distant and abstract. According to the 2016 Disaster Preparedness Survey conducted by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, only about 14 percent of New Zealand households were fully prepared. This meant having plans for when they were not at home, stored water, and regularly updated emergency supplies. Around 25% were prepared at home, with some emergency items and plans, but not to the same level. The challenge was clear: how do we make safety training memorable, and something children want to share with their families?
Video Trailer
Created for New Zealand Civil Defence and supported by the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake, What’s the Plan, Stan? was designed to give kids the knowledge and confidence to act when it matters most.
Players join the IMPACTS Team, a group of young superheroes
Build emergency kits, identify hazards, and choose the right actions.
Strategic "mistakes" in the gameplay become valuable lessons
Encourages problem-solving and critical thinking.
Supplementary lesson plans make it easy for teachers to integrate
Fun, repeatable format means kids keep coming back to practice their skills.
