As it happened: Tsunami warning lifted for New Zealand after shallow magnitude 8.1 Kermadec Islands quake

The National Advisory issued following the severe earthquakes near the Kermadec Islands this morning has officially been cancelled.

In an update at 3:43pm, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said that based on the advice from GNS Science and ocean observations, the tsunami threat to New Zealand has passed.

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for a maximum of 24 hours, NEMA said. People should remain vigilant and take extra precautions in regards to beach and ocean activities.

The Beach and Marine threat has now been formally lifted.

It comes after a magnitude 8.1 earthquake near the Kermadec Islands prompted a tsunami warning from New Zealand authorities. That was the third major quake of the day after a 7.4 magnitude shake near the Kermadec and a 7.1 quake east of the North Island.

Official advice can be found here.

What you need to know

At 3:43pm, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) cancelled its National Advisory. All tsunami warnings have been lifted
People are still advised to "take care" and "exercise prudent judgement", Emergency Management Minister Kiri Allan said
Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore are still expected to continue for a maximum of 24 hours
NEMA urges people to still "remain vigilant" and "take extra precautions" with beach and ocean activites
The threat of "damaging tsunami waves" has passed for the Auckland region and COVID-19 alert level restrictions are back in place
Evacuees are able to return home
The Land and Marine warning was lifted earlier this afternoon and all at-risk areas were downgraded to the Beach and Marine threat. As of 3:43pm, all warnings have been liftedA tsunami warning was issued after a magnitude 8.1 earthquake hit near the Kermadec Islands at about 8:30am on Friday
Earlier on Friday there was a "severe" 7.1 magnitude earthquake 105km east of Te Araroa on the East Coast of New Zealand's North Island and a 7.4 magnitude earthquake at the Kermadecs.

5pm - These live updates have now finished.

4:50pm - Minister Allan said a review of the NEMA system will be undertaken over the coming days to see if the messaging was targeted at the right people, and those at risk were receiving the emergency alerts.

With the warnings now cancelled, Allan said the teams on the ground will assess impacted areas to determine the extent of any damage caused by the quakes.

Allan said today served as a wake-up call - New Zealand is a small nation surrounded by water, and "tsunamis are a big part of our lives".

She stressed the importance of having a plan in place with your household and emergency provisions packed in the event of a natural disaster.

4:45pm - Minister Kiri Allan is back at the podium answering questions about the tsunami threat.

4:35pm - The tsunami threat may have passed for New Zealand, but the Kermadec Islands region continues to face ongoing aftershocks.

According to USGS, the latest aftershock - measured at magnitude 5.6 - struck at 4:21pm.

4:15pm - In case you missed it:

As it happened: Tsunami warning lifted for New Zealand after shallow magnitude 8.1 Kermadec Islands quake — Photo credit: NEMA

4:05pm - Minister Allan has expressed thanks to everyone "who did the right thing".

"I want to thank the men and women nationwide who give their service every time there is an incident of such gravity and who looked after our communities," she said.

She also thanked Civil Defence and NEMA staff, as well as the media.

Minister Allan will take the podium again following the COVID-19 update to answer additional questions regarding the earthquakes and tsunami warnings.

She reiterated that as of 3:45pm, tsunami warnings across the country have been cancelled.

She said that although there are no longer restrictions in place, New Zealanders should continue to "exercise prudent judgement".

"We are asking people still to take care," she said.

4pm - Emergency Management Minister Kiri Allan is giving an update to the country now.

You can watch the news briefing live here and on Three.

3:43pm - The National Advisory issued following the earthquakes near the Kermadec Islands region is now cancelled.

At 3:43pm, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) cancelled the latest National Advisory, issued at 2:48pm.

"The advice from GNS Science, based on ocean observations, is that the Beach and Marine threat has now passed for all areas," NEMA says.

"Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for up to another 24 hours. People should remain vigilant and take extra precautions with regards to beach and ocean activities."

3:35pm - Here is a refresher on the current advice for people in areas still under threat.

stay off the beach and shore areas
move out of the water and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries
listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any instructions
share information with family, neighbours and friends
and return home if you were previously evacuated.

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for several hours, NEMA said, and the threat must be regarded as real until the National Advisory is cancelled.

Do not go to the coast to watch the unusual wave activity as there may be dangerous and unpredictable surges.

3:25pm - To recap:

There is a National Advisory in place. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEWA) still expects strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore in coastal areas.

Strong currents and surges can cause injuries and drownings. There is still a danger to swimmers, surfers, fishermen, small boats and anyone in, or near, the water.

Although the threat has been further downgraded, there is still a threat to the following areas:

the North Cape from Ahipara to the Bay of Islands
the East Coast of the North Island from Cape Runaway to Tolaga Bay - including Great Barrier Island
and the Chatham Islands.

People in or near the sea in the above areas should not be in the water, stay away from beaches and shore areas, and move away from harbours, rivers and estuaries.

Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected as a result of the earthquakes.

3:13pm - Alert level 3 restrictions are now back in place in Auckland.

In an emergency alert issued by NEMA at 3:12pm, the agency said the threat of "damaging tsunami waves" has passed for the majority of the Auckland region.

However, Great Barrier Island remains under the Beach and Marine threat.

As a result, Aucklanders are now expected to resume alert level 3 public health measures.

A new emergency alert was issued to Aucklanders at 3:12pm. Photo credit: NEMA

3pm - The tsunami threat has been further downgraded.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the areas now under threat are:

the North Cape from AHIPARA to the BAY OF ISLANDS
the East Coast of the North Island from CAPE RUNAWAY to TOLAGA BAY, and GREAT BARRIER ISLAND
and the CHATHAM ISLANDS.

The majority of the Auckland region is no longer at risk.

The above areas still remain under the Beach and Marine threat level.

2:50pm - Professor of Geophysics at Victoria University, John Townend, has said New Zealand must remain vigilant and consider the hazard each aftershock at the Kermadecs might pose.

"We have to be vigilant and think about the hazard each one poses, as well as the ongoing sequence of earthquakes that we might expect," he said.

"An earthquake of this size produces a very complicated pattern of waves. As we've heard they have travelled around the country already and that just reflects the size and complexity of the earthquake to start with."

2:40pm - Auckland Transport has confirmed that the city's central train station, Britomart, will reopen at 3pm.

2:30pm - These are the areas still under threat.

the West Coast of the North Island from CAPE REINGA to AHIPARA
the East Coast of the North Island from CAPE REINGA to MAHIA including Whangarei, GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, the East Coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour, Tauranga, Whakatane, Opotiki and Gisborne
the West Coast of the South Island from FAREWELL SPIT to MILFORD SOUND including Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika
and the CHATHAM ISLANDS.

There is no tsunami threat in areas not specified above.

2:20pm - According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) earthquake monitor, a number of sizeable aftershocks are continuing to rock the Kermadec Islands.

Since 1pm, USGS has recorded:

1:19pm: a magnitude 5.6 quake at a depth of 10km
1:28pm: a magnitude 5.9 quake at a depth of 10km
1:49pm: a magnitude 5.2 quake at a depth of 10km
1:54pm: a magnitude 5.2 quake at a depth of 10km
1:58pm: a magnitude 5.6 quake at a depth of 10km
2:07pm: a magnitude 5.0 quake at a depth of 10km.

2:10pm - Using data from GNS Science, NIWA has put together a visual showing 13 hours of seismic activity in just 13 seconds.

2:05pm - Here is a look at the current tsunami forecast map. The coastal areas highlighted in green are under the Beach and Marine threat level, with possible waves estimated to reach 0.3 to 1 metre in height.

1:55pm - Although the threat level has been downgraded to Beach and Marine, the danger has not passed. Evacuees can return home, but people are still asked to remain away from beach areas and stay out of the water.

Coastal areas are still expected to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore.

Here is a reminder of the areas still under threat.

1:50pm - Civil Defence Minister Kiri Allan says although the downgrade in threat level is "pleasing", it's still "not all smooth sailing".

"We ask people to refrain from going to beach areas or on the water at all. This is about looking after each other and taking care. We've seen today an exceptional standard in the way people have engaged in the escalation of the tsunami alerts. I can't say thank you enough to New Zealanders," Allan told Newshub.

She said the event is a reminder that as a coastal country, New Zealanders need to "be prepared" for tsunamis in the future.

"Tsunamis are on our backdoor and we're vulnerable to them. This highlights how important it is to be prepared."

1:45pm - Footage of water being drawn back at a marina in Northland is being widely circulated on social media.

Other footage being widely shared includes video appearing to show strong ocean surges in places like Tutukaka and Tokomaru Bay.

1:40pm - NEMA says that coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is no longer expected as a result of the earthquakes.

"We are advising people to move out of the water, do not go to the coast to watch the unusual wave activity."

The official advice is:

move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries
do not go to the coast to watch the unusual wave activity as there may be dangerous and unpredictable surges
listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any instructions.
share this information with family, neighbours and friends
return home if you have evacuated.

1:30pm - NEMA has reiterated that there is "still a danger" to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore.

"People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries," the agency said.

Areas under Beach and Marine threat are now:

the West Coast of the North Island from CAPE REINGA 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 CAPE REINGA to LAKE FERRY including Whangarei, GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, the East Coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour, Tauranga, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne and Napier
the West and South Coasts of the South Island from FAREWELL SPIT to THE CATLINS including Westport, Greymouth, Hokitika and Invercargill
the top of the South Island from FAREWELL SPIT to PORT UNDERWOOD including Nelson, Picton and the Marlborough Sounds
the East Coast of the South Island from the WAIPARA RIVER to the RAKAIA RIVER including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, and from the TAIERI RIVER to THE CATLINS, STEWART ISLAND and the CHATHAM ISLANDS. There is no tsunami threat in all other areas.

1:20pm - The official advice remains that people in areas under Beach and Marine threat should continue to stay off the beach and shore areas.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) said it expects New Zealand's coastal areas will still experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore.

Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore.

People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries.

1:17pm - GNS Science has advised that the largest waves have now passed, and 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.

1:15pm - According to a local who has been at Napier's marina since 9am, there have been no surges or tidal changes. A lot of people are on boats, they said.

1:07pm - Due to the possibility of flooding, Auckland's Britomart train station - a major transport hub in and out of the central city - will remain closed until approximately 3pm.

Western, Onehunga and Southern Line train services will end at Newmarket, Auckland Transport (AT) said in an update.

Eastern Line services will end at Panmure. The agency asks commuters to consider other transport options.

1pm - There have been two new aftershocks at the Kermadec Islands. The first was measured as 5.4 in magnitude and struck at a depth of 10km at 12:34pm. The second was magnitude 5.6 and struck at a depth of 10km three minutes later.

A third also hit at 12:52pm, measured as 5.2 in magnitude.

12:50pm - Newshub will continue its live television coverage until at least 2pm. We will also be broadcasting the alert level announcement at 4pm from Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.

12:45pm - A notification sign has gone up at Snells Beach.

It says: "Civil Defence warning: Please stay away".

Aucklanders are being asked to stay away from beaches and the shore.

12:40pm - Great Barrier Island is included in the tsunami warning and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff told Newshub there have been no issues with the evacuation so far.

"The warning there is of course evacuation. I've been in touch with the chair of the Great Barrier local board, Izzy Fordham, she said the evacuation has gone really well and everything is going aw they wanted it to go, people are heeding the warning and are keeping away from lower ground."

Goff said the latest warning he has on Auckland is to keep away from the beaches and foreshore.

"Generally, if you're already out in the water the idea is to get somewhere where it's really deep and then you'll just ride on the tsunami if the tsunami comes through. If you're not out of the port then keep away from the water," Goff said.

"I know that at the Port of Auckland the container ships had their engines running in case they were required to evacuate. I don't believe that message has been given to them at this stage."

12:35pm - There has just been another aftershock at the Kermadec Islands. This one has been measured as 6.2 in magnitude and struck at a depth of 10km at 12:12pm.

12:30pm - This new image shows a water surge at Tutukaka, Northland.

12:25pm - There have been a number of aftershocks around the Kermadec Islands over the last hour. The largest quake since 11am has been a 5.8 magnitude shake at 11:33am with a depth of 10km, according to USGS.

12:20pm - Ferry sailings in Auckland have been suspended until at least 2pm.

12:15pm - GNS expert Bill Fry, a seismologist, says the quakes couldn't have been predicted.

"There's no way we can predict when the earthquakes happen," he said at a press conference in Wellington.

"The first one this morning came without any significant warning, then after that when we see a big earthquake like this, we know we're more likely to see another earthquake after that, so we were particularly vigilant after the first earthquake looking for the follow-on earthquakes."

12:10pm - National Controller Roger Ball says the threat is not over yet.

"Strong and unpredictable currents near the shore may be expected in other parts of New Zealand. This could affect beach, harbour and estuary small boat activities, so we're advising to play it safe in those areas. People do need to stay off the beach and out of the water."

The full list of those areas is on www.civildefence.govt.nz.

"The severity of current and surges will vary for the time the warning is in effect for. We are advising people to stay out of the water, including the sea, rivers and estuaries so do not go out in boats," Ball said.

"We ask that people do not go sightseeing. This is important. The first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled."

He said evacuation advice overrides the current COVID-19 alert level requirements. Listen to local Civil Defence authorities and follow any instructions regarding evacuation of your area.

"If you are told to evacuate, do not stay home. Stay two metres away from other people if you are able to safely do so while you evacuate. Do not return until an official all-clear message is given by Civil Defence," Ball said.

"The National Crisis Management Centre has been activated. All Civil Defence Emergency Management groups are active and closely monitoring the situation across the regions in support of their communities."

Ball said tsunami sirens in some areas have been used to advise of the warning.

Regarding the emergency mobile alert, he said some were issued to areas under land threat this morning asking people to evacuate out of all tsunami zones to high ground or inland. The first alert was sent to areas under land threat on the east coast of the North Island. The warning was then extended to include the top of the west coast of the North Island.

Only those under areas of land threat were sent the emergency mobile alert message.

12pm - A mobile alert has been sent out in Northland warning of "surge activity" at several locations. It is warning people to continue to stay on high ground or inland.

12pm - Minister for Emergency Management Kiri Allan has thanked everyone who has moved to higher ground and is asking them to remain where they are until the official all-clear is given.

"I want to acknowledge this has been an extraordinary morning for many New Zealanders up and down the country from 2:30am this morning. Some people have been up worried about their homes and their families," she said at a press conference in Wellington.

"Throughout the course of this morning I've been briefed by my colleagues Roger Ball who is the National Director for National Emergency Management Agency and GNS Science expert Bill Fry.

"I want to acknowledge the people of Tairawhiti, the east coast, those up in the Bay of Islands - those where people have had to pick up their homes, pivot and evacuate, and have done so exceptionally well.

"The messaging was, when it is long or strong, get gone. This morning, whether it was at 2:30am or whether that was later on throughout the course of the morning, we saw New Zealanders adhere to that advice. They felt the long or strong earthquakes and they knew to grab their bag and head into the highlands.

"I can only but thank and acknowledge the tireless efforts of the men and women from up and down the coast who knew how to act, when to act, and what to do."

Allan said she came from the National Crisis Management Centre here in the bunker at the Beehive and was briefed by the national team as to the operations as they are unfolding across the country.

"What I will say is that this has been a dynamic even that is constantly evolving. Information has been provided on the basis of sometimes having to strike a balance - wanting to provide certainty to communities but also trying to balance that with accuracy about how much information can be given," Allan said.

"As you'll know the area that has had to be evacuated has been extended. It now covers the area from the West Coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Ahipara, and the East Coast of the North Island to Cape Reinga to Whangārei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay including Whakatane and Opotiki and Great Barrier Island."

She said Civil Defence and Emergency Management groups in those affected regions have been activated and are leading the response on the ground.

"I've spoken to the team from Opotiki who advised me that that entire town has now been evacuated with the assistance from many stakeholders including volunteers and police," Allan said.

"People have done the right things in the regions by picking up, packing up and by and large staying calm. I want to acknowledge the anxieties for many people."

11:55am - Here is an unverified video of the ocean at Tokomaru Bay.

11:50am - Allan says feedback shows that people have been doing the right thing and appear to clearly understand what they have been doing.

GNS expert Bill Fry says the waves may be up to 3 metres for those under land threat.

The threat could last into the afternoon, Allan says, so people should keep an eye on official advice and channels before they return home.

11:45am - Roger Ball is reiterating that people need to stay away from beaches and shores. Water currents may vary over the course of the day. Do not go out in boats or sight-seeing, he says.

The first wave may not be the largest and tsunami activity may last for several hours, the NEMA national controller says.

This advice overrides alert level restrictions. If you can safely physically distance, please do so.

11:40am - Kiri Allan is now speaking and is acknowledging residents who have self-evacuated. She says New Zealanders have adhered to advice and have done what is needed.

"This has been a dynamic event which is constantly evolving," she says.

People have been staying clam despite the obvious anxiety as events unfold, Allan tells reporters.

Affected people need to stay inland until given the all-clear.

"Please do not go and leave those areas until you have the all-clear," Allan says.

11:37am - Aucklanders have now been sent an alert about the beach and marine threat.

11:35am - Statement from St John:

St John has been notified of a tsunami threat following a magnitude 8.1 earthquake north-east of New Zealand near Kermadec Islands region this morning.

St John is working with fellow agencies including the National Emergency Management Agency.

The affected areas are the west coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Ahipara, and the east coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Whangarei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay including Whakatane and Opotiki, and Great Barrier Island.

We have stood up our National Crisis Communication Centre to monitor the situation. As this is still developing, we will keep you informed as more information comes to hand.

We continue to operate emergency ambulance services throughout New Zealand so please continue to dial 111 for an ambulance in an emergency.

11:30am - Emergency Management Minister Kiri Allan, NEMA national controller Roger Ball, and GNS expert Bill Fry are about to hold a press conference. You can watch that above and on Three.

11:25am - Here is a new photo from Tokomaru Bay on the East Coast.

Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai is responding to the 7.1, 7.4 and 8.1 magnitude earthquakes since 2:20am this morning.

"I'm really proud of our community. We've practiced for tsunami warnings. All of our sirens went off and everybody knows what to do in those situations," she told Newshub.

"We've got school children who practiced this; they're all safe now in the high ground that they evacuate to. We're familiar with what we need to do but the reality is, when it actually happens and it's real, there are some behaviours that you may not be able to anticipate."

Mai said the most important thing at the moment is for people in the areas where warnings have been issued is to stay put once you reach high ground until Civil Emergency Management give the all clear.

"We don't know how long that will be and it will be an anxious wait for people."

Mai said she did not personally feel the earthquake that struck the Kermadec Islands, but that doesn't make it any less of a threat.

She said Whangārei is already at alert level 2 so the COVID-19 settings aren't so problematic, as it would be for Auckland which is at level 3. The emergency evacuations override the alert level settings.

11:20am - Interislander sailings have been delayed due to the earthquakes and tsunami advisories.

“Tsunami warnings following this morning’s earthquakes have affected Interislander sailings, and are causing some short delays," says executive general manager of Interislander Walter Rushbrook.

"The Aratere and the Kaitaki have delayed berthing in Picton as a safety precaution until the deadline for any effect has passed, which is expected soon.

"The Kaiarahi is continuing into Wellington Harbour as normal.

"We regret the inconvenience and expect the services will be back on schedule shortly."

11:15am - Whangārei Mayor Sheryl Mai told Newshub she's at high ground at home and is very concerned for her community.

"Everybody seems to be doing the right thing and have evacuated and are at high ground and we're just waiting with an unknown sense of how much damage will [the tsunami] do," she said.

Her advice to the community is to be calm.

"Let's hope that everybody is at a safe at the moment and hopefully with friends and family around them, with water and maybe even they've taken their pets with them," she said.

"People are concerned about lots of different things but we just need to make sure that everybody is in a place where, when this wave hits, that any damage will occur without any damage to human lives."

11:10am - We are expecting Minister for Emergency Management Kiri Allan to give a press conference at 11:30am. Newshub will bring you that live online and on Three.

11am - A Newshub special is now starting with the latest on the tsunami warning and earthquakes. You can watch that above and on Three.

How can we be so sure that a tsunami has been triggered?

Earthquake expert at Victoria University, John Townend, told The AM Show the magnitude of the earthquake and the depth of it is very important.

He explained how it's the extent to which the seabed is abruptly lifted up by the quake, because it's like "lifting up water which then subsides and rushes out in directions".

The quake that woke people up at 2:20am appears to have been quite deep, he said, which made it less likely to produce a tsunami, although a small tsunami was recorded in some areas. But the latest quake was shallower.

Townend said it's not that common to have several large quakes in a row like this.

"What really seems to be happening here is that you have a big earthquake which locally is relieving the stresses on a fault, but it can perturb the stresses on faults nearby," he said.

"The link between the earthquake at 2:20am and the second event further north at about 6:30am is not entirely clear, but in terms of timing it's very suspicious.

"The relationship between the second earthquake and the third largest one I think will probably come under some scrutiny, but it seems to be clearer in that you had a big magnitude 7.4 earthquake followed only two hours later by a magnitude 8.1.

"So in the context of understanding the relationships, it may turn out to be the case the first earthquake in the sequence at 2:20am triggered what happened and then the second was the immediate response to that, and the third was triggered by the second."

He said it's hard to tell for sure so early in the analysis but that's the basic sequence as he sees it now.

10:55am - The AM Show has heard that Waitangi River has emptied. Social media users are also discussing this. Water is often sucked out of harbours and estuaries ahead of tsunamis.

John Dobson, a resident from Doubtless Bay, said the tide had also suddenly gone out there.

10:50am - This is the latest advice from NEMA:

AREAS UNDER LAND AND MARINE WARNING:

Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas) is expected in the following areas:

The West Coast of the North Island from CAPE REINGA to AHIPARA.

The East Coast of the North Island from CAPE REINGA to WHANGAREI, from MATATA to TOLAGA BAY including Whakatane and Opotiki.

And GREAT BARRIER ISLAND.

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges near the shore are expected in the following areas. This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities.

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 WHANGAREI to MATATA including Whangarei, 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 TAIERI RIVER to PUYSEGUR POINT including Invercargill.

And STEWART ISLAND.

And the CHATHAM ISLANDS.

There is no tsunami threat in all other areas.

10:45am - John Dobson from Doubtless Bay told The AM Show farmers were moving their live stock to higher ground.

He said he could see the ocean and it looked like the tide, which should be coming in, was going out.

He said everyone he knew locally had evacuated their homes.

"There were a couple of people on the beach but they were spoken to and they left quickly."

10:40am - Earthquake expert at Victoria University, John Townend, told The AM Show that because of the size of the most recent earthquake - magnitude 8.1 - the volume of water that has potentially been released at the seabed is "very large".

He said that means the reach of the tsunami is "correspondingly quite large".

"As it comes into New Zealand from the deep ocean and interacts with the coast, it will bend and refract and that's why we are announcing the warning extending around the west from Cape Reinga and all the way down the east coast as well."

Townend told The AM Show to expect a "huge surge" of water and that the first wave might not necessarily be the biggest.

"That's why people should be away from the beach follow all the NEMA (National Emergency Management Agency] advisories, and get to high ground if you're in any of those areas."

He pointed to "devastating examples" over the last decades or so of tsunamis that have caused devastation, such as the 2011 earthquake in Japan and the Sumatran earthquake in 2004.

"In New Zealand, we're dealing with earthquakes that are relatively coastal and therefore the distance to New Zealand is much shorter, and that means that the length of time that we have to prepare is correspondingly shorter," he said.

He said the earthquake that happened first this morning was only a few kilometres from the country, so authorities need to rely on people to evacuate themselves if they live on the coast and feel a strong quake.

10:35am - National Party deputy leader and Northland-based MP Shane Reti spoke to The AM Show from his parents' house in a suburb of Whangārei.

"About 30 minutes ago we received the tsunami alerts to move to higher ground, so I was at the office and checked staff were safe, and made my way to my parents place in Raumanga which is over and above the harbour overlooking state highway 1, and we're at high ground here now," he told The AM Show.

"On the way here I stopped at Manaia View School, they were very structured and organised with their transition of parents. They said if they're concerned they're going to walk a couple hundred metres up to my parents place here to make their staff and remaining children safe."

10:30am - Kiwis in affected areas being asked to evacuate have been receiving mobile alerts.

Video has also captured boats heading out to sea at Russell.

A Northland internet service provider has a "special request" of customers.

"Please avoid Netflixing or any other unnecessary streaming while this tsunami event plays out," says UberGroup

"If it impacts Northland as some are forecasting, we will lose some low-lying fibre-fed sites. We want all customers to be able to access essential news and phone services, so please be considerate. And, stay safe out there people."

10:25am - The AM Show will stay on-air until 11am. Newshub will then have a special episode with the latest on the tsunami warning and earthquakes. You can watch all of this above and on Three.

10:20am - The National Crisis Management Centre was stood up this morning.

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is leading the operation response, coordinating with local Civil Defence Emergency Management groups.

ODESC, the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination, has not been stood up at this stage, but is at the ready in the event it needs to.

According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, the waves that hit New Zealand could be up to 1 metre in height. That is just a first estimate however.

10:15am - Kaipara Mayor Jason Smith told The AM Show tsunami sirens have been going off.

"At this point it is certainly being taken very seriously with the most recent earthquake out in the Kermadec," he said. "Civil Defence has been activated right across the North, everyone has to their cell-phones been receiving alerts and text messages to evacuate and get out of the tsunami zone."

Smith said at least the evacuation is happening in daylight because it would have been far more difficult had it been last night.

Jason said he's been advised the "roads are chaos" in Langs Beach, Waipu and Mangawhai areas.

Civil Defence is marshalling the traffic.

Smith wants people to get out if they are in these areas: Pakiri, Mangawhai, Langs Beach, Waipu Cove, Waipu, One Tree Point, Ruakaka, all of the Whangārei inner harbour area, and the Whangārei coast right up the Tutukaka coast.

10:05am - The AM Show will remain on-air until at least 11am with the latest on the earthquakes and tsunami threat.

10am - A beach and marine threat has been issued for much of New Zealand now. The map below highlights the areas under threat. Note the difference between areas under land and marine threat, and those under beach and marine threat.

The land threat now includes the west coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Ahipara, as well as the east coast of the North Island from Cape Reinga to Whangarei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay and Great Barrier Island.

9:55am - According to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre, Gisborne can expect the first waves at 10:09am. Other areas, such as North Cape, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga, and East Cape can expect waves between 10:20am and 10:30am. However, these times can change and the first waves may not be the largest.

9:50am - New from NEMA:

"We have issued a TSUNAMI WARNING for New Zealand coastal areas following the magnitude 8.1 earthquake near KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION. There is a LAND and MARINE TSUNAMI THREAT. An EMA will be issued to areas under land and marine tsunami threat."

9:45am - USGS says there has been a 6.5 magnitude earthquake at the Kermadecs. This hit at about 9:25am at a depth of 10km.

9:40am - Civil Defence Minister Kiri Allan is calling for calm.

"It has been a morning for all New Zealanders in terms of this is the third now earthquake this morning and of course a lot of the messaging has been changing as the situation evolves," she told The AM Show.

"In terms of resources that we have on the ground, obviously we will have all of our local Civil Defence teams, they are proactively working very, very hard alongside local authorities and all of the relevant agencies."

Allan said she's in contact with local authorities and Civil Defence Management groups, who are assessing how the evacuations are going.

"I know there's a lot of anxiety out there. My own family is very much impacted," Allan, who is MP for East Coast, told The AM Show.

"First of all, we've got a bit of time to focus on the things we can control. People are doing a great job to look after each other. They're doing a great job of heading up into areas up into the hills or inland, to safe places," she said.

"Whilst there may be a bit of traffic congestion in some areas as people go to work or school, and onto the roads to get home, it's OK - breathe, everyone's doing exactly what they can be and should be doing right now."

Civil Defence Minister Kiri Allan says the tsunami warning advice overrides the COVID-19 alert level rules, so if you are in the Bay of Islands to Whangārei, Matata to Tolaga Bay, Whakatane, Opotiki, and Great Barrier Island, get to safety.

"I know the sentiment, we're watching a lot of alert levels, programming is running longer, there is anxiety out there. I completely acknowledge that. But unless you're in one of the areas that have been identified, it's OK to stay calm," Allan told The AM Show.

"The evacuation advice does override the current COVID-19 alert level requirements. So for those in the coastal areas that have been identified, so what you need to do - pack your cars, get your kids, grab your water bottles and your pack if you've got one, and just try to stay as calm as possible," she said.

"If you're not in one of those areas though, I'm sure you might feel concerned, but there's no need to evacuate unless you received the advice that you do."

The first wave is expected at about 10:20am.

9:35am - Clues to when the next big tsunami-causing quake might happen have been uncovered on the sea floor off the coast of New Zealand.

The magnitude 7.8 quake which hit Kaikoura in 2016 has been one of the most-studied in history, and it's still giving up secrets. The latest is proof underwater landslides can be used to accurately reconstruct past quakes, perhaps helping pick when future ones might occur.

Read more here.

7:55am - NEMA has released a new map showing the current areas where there is a beach and marine threat.

7:45am - There has since been a smaller earthquake near the Kermadec Islands. USGS measures it as 5.5 in magnitude and says it hit at a depth of 10km.

7:40am - The official advice from NEMA says that people located between the Bay of Islands and Whangarei should stay off beaches and shore areas.

"We expect New Zealand coastal areas to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake near KERMADEC ISLANDS NEW ZEALAND at 2021-03-05 6:41 AM.

"Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore.

"People in or near the sea in [these areas] should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries."

There is no need to evacuate other areas unless advised by local authorities.

7:30am - New from NEMA:

"We have issued a NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY following the magnitude 7.4 earthquake near KERMADEC ISLANDS NEW ZEALAND. We expect New Zealand coastal areas to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore."

7:25am - Kiri Allan, the Emergency Management Minister, is speaking to The AM Show. She says mobile alerts went to the places where residents were asked to evacuate.

Allan praises the community for self-isolating after feeling the long earthquake. She says this is the right action to take and shows messaging is working.

The minister says she has been receiving briefings from NEMA since 2:29am.

She is "very satisfied" with the response.

Other than some broken bottles, Allan hasn't heard of any damage.

7:20am - NIWA has released this map visualising Friday morning's quakes.

7:15am - The United States Geological Survey (USGS) says there has been a 7.4 magnitude earthquake near the Kermadec Islands. It hit at 6:41am at a depth of 55.6km.

7:10am - Roger Ball, NEMA acting director, is back on The AM Show. He reiterates that the tsunami warning has been lifted.

In response to concern that not everyone received the mobile alerts about a potential tsunami, Ball says people located from Cape Runaway down to Tolaga Bay were those targeted with alerts. He says this is the area where evacuations were advised.

He says many people naturally self-isolated after feeling the earthquake.

7:05am - Green Party co-leader Marama Davidson says she is "relieved" to see the tsunami warning has been lifted.

"Aue. Nerves shot though. Will cuppa. Hope people are OK and can get some sleep back following adrenalin spike."

6:55am - There have been a large number of aftershocks on Friday morning following the 7.1 earthquake. Just in the last few minutes, a magnitude 4 quake hit 90km east of Te Araroa at a depth of 24km.

Due to the location of the large earthquake - about 105km out at sea - only aftershocks measuring above magnitude 3 are detected.

6:40am - Ball, the acting director of NEMA, is speaking to The AM Show. He says the earthquake was "very severe" but all warnings have now been cancelled.

"The end result is that people can go about their day as usual," Ball tells The AM Show.

However, he says people should still be careful and alert if they are going into the water. Residents should act as if a storm "is easing off".

Ball says while mobile emergency alerts were issued, they didn't go out to all Kiwis. The alerts were targeted towards those most likely to be affected by a potential tsunami. He says the events of Friday morning will be reviewed and improvements will be made if necessary.

6:35am - The AM Show will speak to Roger Ball, the acting director of NEMA, and Emergency Management Minister Kiri Allan later in the morning. You can watch the show on Three or above.

6:20am - Did you feel the earthquake? Vote in The AM Show Question of the Day here.

More than 50,000 people, from as far south as Invercargill, have reported feeling the earthquake on GeoNet.

6:15am - Here's the official advisory from NEMA:

The National Advisory issued following the 7.3 earthquake near EAST OF THE NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND at 2021-03-05 2:27 AM New Zealand Daylight Time is cancelled.

Based on GNS Science's modelling and ocean observations on tide gauges and the New Zealand DART Buoys, our science advice is that the threat of strong and unusual currents has now passed for all parts of New Zealand including the Chatham Islands.

6:05am - NEMA has just advised that "based on GNS Science's modelling and ocean observations on tide gauges and the New Zealand DART Buoys, our science advice is that the threat of strong and unusual currents has now passed for all parts of New Zealand including the Chatham Islands".

6am - Here's how the earthquake was covered around the world:

5:50pm - For a large tsunami similar to what was seen on Boxing Day in 2004 or in Japan, Ristau says there needs to be a really large earthquake - north of 8 magnitude - and for it to hit right on the "boundary" of two plates. Friday morning's shake wasn't this type of quake, but it still created disturbance on the sea floor, Ristau says.

5:45am - GNS seismologist John Ristau tells The AM Show he wouldn't be surprised if people were feeling the quake for up to 30 seconds. He says surface waves can feel like really long motions.

There have been at least 35 aftershocks, Ristau says. There has likely been more, but because of the location of the quake, only larger shakes can be detected.

5:35am - Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz says it was a decent shake and her teenagers were in her room within seconds.

"The earthquake kept going for quite some time," she says. She estimates it lasted for up to a minute and a half.

The first priority was making sure everyone safe, but Stoltz says officials will now go assess roads and pipes in the area. She has only heard of minor damage, like TVs falling over.

"We have dodged a bullet here on the East Coast."

She is really proud of her community for their response.

5:25am - Bill Martin, owner of the Te Araroa Holiday Park, says the quake started slowly, intensified and went for a long time. He says the quake "just kept going" and felt as if the shake went for about 30 seconds.

"It was quite intense. There were a couple aftershocks later," he tells The AM Show. "I went to the security of a doorway".

There were about 40 people at the holiday park and many went straight up the hill. Martin says everyone evacuated after getting the tsunami warning.

Martin applauds Civil Defence and says he has received about three mobile alerts.

5:20am - While the land threat has been lifted, a beach and marine threat remains. In affected areas, from Port Charles to Mahia, people are advised to stay off beaches and away from the shore.

"There is no need to evacuate other areas unless directly advised by local civil defence authorities. Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected as a result of this event," NEMA says.

NEMA is advising people to:

Move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries.
Do not go to the coast to watch the unusual wave activity as there may be dangerous and unpredictable surges.
Listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any instructions.
Share this information with family, neighbours and friends.

"The first tsunami activity causing these strong currents and surges may reach New Zealand in the areas around East Cape at approximately 3:14 am 5 Mar 2021 NZDT New Zealand Daylight Time. This may be later and the first tsunami activity may not be the most significant.

"Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continu"e for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this Advisory is cancelled."

5:15am - Here's the latest NEMA advice:

Based on current scientific advice and information from the coastal tsunami gauges, there is no longer a land threat. People who have evacuated may now return to their homes.

We expect New Zealand coastal areas to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a magnitude 7.3 earthquake near EAST OF THE NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND at 2021-03-05 2:27 AM.

Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore.

People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries.

AREAS UNDER THREAT: The East Coast of the North Island from PORT CHARLES to MAHIA including Tauranga, Whakatane, Opotiki and Gisborne, and GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, and the CHATHAM ISLANDS.

There is no tsunami threat in all other areas.

5:10am - NEMA says that based on current scientific advice and information from coastal tsunami gauges, "there is no longer a threat to land areas".

"People who have evacuated can now return home."

Roger Ball, NEMA's acting director, has just confirmed this to The AM Show. However, a marine warning continues to be in effect.

5:05am: The AM Show's earthquake special will feature:

Roger Ball, NEMA's acting director
Bill Martin, Te Araroa Holiday Park owner
Rehette Stoltz, Gisborne's Mayor
John Ristau, GNS Seismologist

5am - The AM Show is now on-air with the most recent details on the earthquake. There have so far been no reports of significant damage or injury. The quake hit about 105km east of New Zealand, however.

4:50am - The AM Show will break into normal programming at 5am with the latest on the earthquake. You will be able to watch that on Three and above.

4:45am - Hundreds of people have evacuated their homes on the East Coast and headed for higher ground. If you are safe and able to send pictures or video, you can share them with Newshub at news@newshub.co.nz.

4:35am - Here is the most up-to-date advice from NEMA:

This is a Tsunami Warning for New Zealand coastal areas following the magnitude 7.3 earthquake near EAST OF THE NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND.

AREAS UNDER LAND AND MARINE WARNING:

Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas) is expected in the following areas:

The East Coast of the North Island from CAPE RUNAWAY to TOLAGA BAY.

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges near the shore are expected in the following areas. This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities.

The East Coast of the North Island from PORT CHARLES to CAPE RUNAWAY including Tauranga, Whakatane and Opotiki, and from TOLAGA BAY to MAHIA including Gisborne, and GREAT BARRIER ISLAND, and the CHATHAM ISLANDS.

The first waves may reach New Zealand in the areas around East Cape at approximately 3:14 am 5 Mar 2021 NZDT New Zealand Standard Time.

The severity of currents and surges will vary within a particular coastal area and over the period this warning is in effect.

The first wave may not be the largest. Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled.

4:30am - Videos are emerging of the moment the earthquake struck.

4:25am - NEMA has released this map showing the exact areas under threat of a potential tsunami. Areas from Cape Runaway to Tolaga Bay on the East Coast are under a Land and Marine Threat.

4:20am - There have been a number of light and weak aftershocks in the last hour. The largest so far, according to GeoNet, was at 4:09am with a magnitude of 5.4. That was 110km east of Te Araroa on the East Coast.

Speaking of the original 7.2 earthquake, Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz told Newshub it was a "massive massive shake."

"I have two teenagers in my house and you can't usually get teenagers out of bed but they were shaken up.

"I am proud to say people in Gisborne responded to the 'if it's strong and long be gone' and people who needed to evacuated. They made the judgement calls themselves.

"I am really proud about how people self-evacuated."

Allan, the Emergency Management Minister, says she was advised that an alert message was sent to the mobiles of people in affected areas at 3:20am.

4:15am - Kiri Allan, the Minister for Emergency Management and the MP for East Coast, has shared the NEMA advice on Twitter.

Ohope resident Janine Walter, who has left her East Coast house, told Newshub the quake was "very long and rumbly."

"It just kept on going it definitely woke me up."

She said other residents had also evacuated but everyone is staying calm.

"The traffic is packed as people are heading for the hills. I have never seen so many camper vans."

4:10am - The evacuation advice issued on Friday morning by NEMA overrides current alert level requirements.

The Director-General of Health, Dr Ashley Bloomfield, was awake tweeting advice earlier in the morning.

3:59am - Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has sent a message to Kiwis affected by the quake'

3:52am - Areas under a land and marine warning are:

Coastal inundation (flooding of land areas) is expected in the following areas:

The East Coast of the North Island from CAPE RUNAWAY to TOLAGA BAY.

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges near the shore are expected in the following areas. This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities.

3:50am - Civil defence says the first waves of a potential tsunami may have reached areas in the East Cape and the threat of a tsunami is real.

3:47am - There are reports of the quake being felt across the North Isalnd and in parts of the South Island. Residents in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and even Christchurch felt the shaking.

3:31am - A tsunami warning has been issued for coastal areas after the quake hit this morning

3:07am - The National Emergency Management Agency has advised people who felt the quake and who live on the coast to get to higher ground. People should also:

Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates, and NZCivilDefence Twitter
Listen to local Civil Defence authorities
Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, this includes boats)
Stay off beaches and shore areas
Do not go sightseeing
Share this information with family, neighbours and friends

3:04am - Geonet said the quake was felt by over 50,00 people across the North Island, many of who posted on social media about the severity of the shaking.

The NEMA said in a Tweet they were still assessing the tsunami threat and will provide details as soon as possible.

3am - A large 7.2 magnitude earthquake has struck the North Island east of Te Araroa prompting a tsunami warning for coastal areas of New Zealand.