Kiwis are expressing confusion and frustration after New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) took an hour to assess whether there was a tsunami risk after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake hit the Kermadec Islands on Monday.
However NEMA says it takes time for the bespoke analysis on whether there is a tsunami risk for New Zealand, although processes are in place to fast-track decisions for very large earthquakes.
The quake was at a depth of 10km and struck at around 12:42pm. It was followed by a magnitude 5.4 aftershock 20 minutes later.
Less than 20 minutes after the first earthquake the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said there was no threat for Hawaii, the west coast of the United States, British Columbia, Alaska, Guam or American Samoa.
But Kiwis faced an anxious wait with NEMA first tweeting about the earthquake at 1:04pm. In the tweet, the agency said it was assessing whether there was a tsunami risk for New Zealand. NEMA said it would "provide an update as soon as the initial assessment has been completed".
In a follow-up tweet at 1:12pm NEMA said it was still assessing the threat but urged "anyone near the coast who felt a long or strong quake" to "move immediately to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can".
It wasn't until 1:55pm when NEMA confirmed there was no tsunami threat for Aotearoa. But the wait hasn't gone down well with Kiwis online.
"Now over an hour and a quarter since the quake, and 45 mins since the post. Guess it ain't coming but NZ Civil Defence maybe update the post a bit more often please," one person commented on NEMA's Facebook post.
"Good thing we aren't in any danger, a wave would be well on the way here by now," another added.
"Need to speed up the assessment process somehow. Over an hour gone for people in tsunami zones to evacuate," someone else commented.
"IS THERE A THREAT OR NOT UPDATE SOONER RATHER THAN LATER PLEASE," one person said.
People on NEMA's Twitter seemed to feel the same way with one saying, "Are we just waiting to let people know when it hits or?"
"How long does your assessment take? And how long does it take for a tsunami to get from the Kermadecs to NZ? You're still assessing an hour after the event?" another person questioned.
"Are we in danger?" another simply asked.
The agency did provide details in its second update saying anyone near coastal areas who felt an earthquake that either lasted more than a minute or was strong enough that it was hard to stand, shouldn't wait for official advice and should instead immediately self-evacuate.
In a response to Newshub, NEMA said when these events happen, GNS Science undertakes bespoke scientific analysis to determine whether or not a tsunami risk exists for New Zealand.
"This process takes some time, as they need to be thorough to help NEMA make as accurate decision as possible. I understand PTWC notifications are indicative rather than being a bespoke analysis - and also, PTWC does not represent the official warning status for NZ," a spokesperson said.
"I can assure you that for very large earthquakes that are likely to result in tsunamis causing land inundation, we have processes in place to fast-track decisions. For example, when an 8.1 magnitude earthquake hit the Kermadecs region on 5 March 2021, NEMA issued a land threat in under twenty minutes.
"As with all events, we will debrief to identify any opportunities to further strengthen our arrangements."
