Hundreds of evacuated residents across New Zealand are able to return home after three earthquakes prompted tsunami warnings in the country, in an Australian territory and a handful of Pacific islands.
A magnitude 8.1 earthquake struck the Kermadec Island region, about 800 kilometres north-east of the North Island, at about 8.45am local time (6.45am AEDT), following two earlier earthquakes.
Residents in the Bay of Islands, Whangarei, Great Barrier Islands and from Matata to Tolaga Bay, including Whakatane and Opotiki, were urged to evacuate immediately. By 1.17pm local time (11.17am AEDT), GNS Science advised the largest waves had passed and the threat level was downgraded.
Almost an hour later, the threat had been downgraded even further. Coastal areas along the country are still expected to see strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore.
“There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore,” an update from the National Emergency Management Agency said.
“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.”
Earlier, National MP Shane Reti reported unusual tidal activity could be seen in Whangārei.
“We are now seeing sandbanks [exposed when they shouldn’t be] and some brown dirty water coming in,” Mr Reti said.
Other areas along the west and east coasts of the North Island, Stewart Island and Chatham Islands were expected to see flooding.
The first earthquake, magnitude 7.3, struck the Kermadec Islands at 2.27am local time (12.27am AEDT). The second quake, magnitude 7.4, hit at 6.41am (4.41am AEDT).
Earlier, New Zealand Emergency Management Minister Kiri Allan said the earthquakes had been “a dynamic event that is constantly evolving”.
“People have done the right thing in the regions by picking up, packing up, and by and large staying calm,” she said.
“I want to acknowledge the anxiety for many families and for many people ... Now, as we pivot towards the current environment that we’re in, we’re asking those that have moved to high ground or inland to remain where you are until the official all-clear is given.”
Civil Defence controller Roger Ball urged people to stay away from the beach, out of the water and not go sightseeing. “Tsunami activity will continue for several hours, and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled,” he said. “If you are told to evacuate, do not stay at home.”
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