Civil Defence warnings throughout NZ 

Source: Civil DefenceTsunami early warning buoy

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Tsunami warnings have been issued for the whole of New Zealand with areas of concern including Northland, the Coromandel, the Bay of Plenty and the East Coast north of Gisborne.

Residents in low-lying areas of the Coromandel coast are being urged to move to higher ground immediately and fire service staff are driving around urging these residents to move.

East Cape reports say waves came ashore before 10am but no damage has been reported. 

Harbourmasters are being told by Environment Waikato not to move on the water.

Waikato Civil Defence says people living or working on the coasts should be on high alert especially residents in Raglan, Kawhia and Mokau and all coastal settlements near these areas.

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence is telling residents to keep away from beaches and residents of Te Kaha, East Cape have been instructed to go to high ground.

A one metre wave was predicted by seismologists to arrive at East Cape around 9.44am.

It would then hit Gisborne at 10.00am, Napier at 10.40am, Wellington at 10.50am and Auckland at 11.12am.

That is low tide, but there is still considered to be a risk to beach areas.

Napier, Northland and Southland have also issued alerts.

Auckland regional authorities are advising people on Great Barrier Island, Waiheke Island and on regional coastlines to seek higher ground.

Kiwifruit marketer Zespri has taken the decision to evacuate its office in Mount Maunganui in response to the warning.

Detailed evacuation advice will come from local authorities and local emergency services and people should keep their radios on at all times.

People should act on advice promptly. If told to evacuate they should, where possible, take a radio and cellular phone with them, along with items that are essential for them such as glasses, hearing aid and medicines.

TV ONE will broadcast tsunami information as it happens from 10am and at midday.

The Civil Defence website is here

Main advice:

Turn on radios and listen to advice from civil defence emergency management

Stay off beaches until cancellation of the warning

Do not go out on the water until cancellation of the warning

The first wave may not be the largest wave so people are advised not to go to the beach until it is cleared by the local council.