Disaster Recovery Planning for NZ Businesses

When Auckland storms or power outages hit, it’s a strong reminder for business owners across New Zealand to have a plan in place. Without clear systems and preparation, even minor disruptions can result in lost time, lost data, and lost revenue.
So what should your disaster recovery plan cover?

Staff Safety Comes First

Do you know how to contact all your team members if an emergency hits? Whether it’s a weather event, cyberattack, or building issue, communication is key.
A good plan includes:

• A clear communication tree
  
  
• Emergency contact details
  
  
• Procedures for evacuations or remote working
  
  

Is Your Workplace Operational?

If your main site becomes inaccessible, what’s your backup?
From power outages to flooding, having a secondary location – or even the ability to go remote – gives you continuity.
Make sure your team knows where and how to work if your usual premises are off-limits.

Data Security and Business Continuity

Today, most companies rely on cloud-based systems, but backups still matter. Ask yourself:

• Do you have secure, off-site backups?
  
  
• When was the last time you tested a restore?
  
  
• Do your systems comply with current security standards?
  
  

A full review can reveal whether your business could survive a ransomware attack or server crash – or if you’d be flying blind.

Insurance and Financial Resilience

Good disaster recovery includes checking your insurance policies, from business interruption cover to IT equipment replacement. Ask yourself:

• Are your policies up to date?
  
  
• Do they reflect your current operations?
  
  
• If your business went down for a week, could you manage?
  
  

Real Client Story: Fire Control Services

Brett Webster from Fire Control Services had decades of experience maintaining fire alarm systems – but a lack of long-term planning and daily financial stress left the business vulnerable.
With support from Oxygen8, Brett developed a clear roadmap that included continuity systems, delegation, and financial planning.

“Oxygen8 gave me the tools, the timeline, and the plan. We’ve turned the business around – faster than I thought possible.”
– Fire Control Services