The largest waves caused by the 8.1 magnitude earthquake have now passed and everyone who evacuated can now return, with the beach and marine threat for all areas now lifted.
Surge activity was seen across Northland, following three large earthquakes off the coast of New Zealand this morning.
Watching, waiting and macramé at Whangārei Heads Photo: RNZ / Nita Blake-Persen
Multiple tsunami warnings were issued by Civil Defence this morning after a 8.1 magnitude quake near the Kermadec Islands.
But in its latest advisory, Civil Defence said GNS Science had advised that the largest waves have now passed.
"Therefore the threat level is now downgraded to a Beach and Marine threat for all areas which were previously under Land and Marine threat.
"All people who evacuated can now return."
The advice from GNS Science, based on ocean observations, is that the beach and marine threat has passed for all areas.
But it says strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for another 24 hours. It says people should be vigilant and take extra precautions at the beach or in the water.
See how the day's events unfolded with RNZ's live blog:
The United States Geological Survey recorded 8.1 quake at 8.28am and at a depth of 10km.
It is the third earthquake this morning following a 7.4 quake near the Kermadec Islands earlier, and a 7.1 quake off New Zealand's east coast.
NEMA is warning of flooding of coastal land in the West Coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Ahipara, and the East Coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Whangārei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay including Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki and Great Barrier Island.
It is telling people near the coast from the Bay of Islands to Whangārei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay, and Great Barrier Island must move immediately to nearest high ground, out of all tsunami evacuation zones, or as far inland as possible.
Strong, unusual currents and unpredictable surges near the shore are expected:
- The West Coast of the North Island from Ahipara to Makara including the West Coast of Auckland, Manukau Harbour, New Plymouth, Whanganui and the Kapiti Coast
- The East Coast of the North Island from Whangārei to Matata including Whangārei, the East Coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour and Tauranga, from Tolaga Bay to Lake Ferry including Gisborne and Napier
- The West and South Coasts of the South Island from Farewell Spit to Puysegur Point including Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika
- The top of the South Island from Farewell Spit to Port Underwood including Nelson, Picton and the Marlborough Sounds
- The East and South Coasts of the South Island from the Waipara River to the Rakaia River including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, from the Tairei River to Puysegur Point including Invercargill
- Stewart Island
- Chatham Islands
