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Warning sign - Source: Civil Defence -
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Civil Defence has cancelled all tsunami advisories saying there is no further risk to New Zealand.
The Civil Defence warning was issued after an earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale hit near the islands of Samoa on Wednesday morning, sparking a tsunami which killed dozens of people, including reports of one New Zealander .
Many houses were wiped out and the death toll continues to rise.
On Wednesday afternoon the warning was downgraded to an advisory alert, and cancelled around 4:30pm.
The Civil Defence Ministry's Director, John Hamilton says that scientific advice indicates no further tsunami threat exists for New Zealand coastlines as a result of the earthquake near Samoa.
While waves resulting from the quake were recorded in coastal parts of New Zealand, they weren't significant enough to cause damage.
The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management says wave activity is expected to continue around New Zealand on a diminishing level into the evening.
There is still a likelihood of strong currents in coastal areas.
Beach areas should now be safe, however people should "remain alert for unusual sea activity."
East Coast
A 40 centimetre wave was recorded on the East Coast and another 80 centimetre wave hit the East Cape at 1pm Wednesday afternoon.
Local authorities reported being generally pleased with the response to the tsunami warning, despite some people ignoring advice.
That included surfers heading out to catch "the wave" at Makorori beach near Gisborne.
The Gisborne Herald reported that there was some initial confusion in the area as to how serious the threat was as the situation was being dramatised on television while being talked down by local authorities.
There was nevertheless a significant flow of people right along the East Coast heading to higher ground to either get out of harm's way or get a view of the ocean.
Far North
Far North District Council spokeswoman Alison Lees says that emergency response plans for coastal communities had been set up over the past year and the urgent response to today's warning was pleasing.
She says locals needed little encouragement from Civil Defence representatives to vacate their low-lying homes as most did so on their own accord after seeing or hearing media reports.
Auckland
In Auckland, emergency services were on standby and locals were told to stay away from beaches as civil defence went on alert.
A call heeded by the city's rescue chopper amid warnings a metre high sheet of water could be on its way.
Ferry operators were also quick to minimise risk, suspending services to the outer gulf and mooring vessels offshore.
South Island
The tsunami threat did little to deter some in the South Island
with dozens turning up at local beaches, despite the
warnings.
Information on helplines and aid for Samoan
victims
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