[Released 8am]

Media Release 30 SEPTEMBER 2009 - 0800 NZDT

Tsunami Warning - Threat to New Zealand

There is a tsunami risk to New Zealand from the 8.3 magnitude earthquake that occurred of the coast of the Samoan Islands Region today at 0648 hours NZDT.

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has issued a tsunami warning for New Zealand coasts.

Information from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre and GNS Science is that the earthquake is likely to have generated a tsunami.

The warning is for all of New Zealand.
The Ministry’s Director, John Hamilton, said that the Ministry has alerted the country’s regional Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) Groups, Police, Fire Service, Ministry of Health, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and other government agencies, and media. The Ministry has activated the National Crisis Management Centre and is co-ordinating central government response.

The Civil Defence Emergency Management sector is activating its emergency plans. Regional Civil Defence Emergency Management Groups are working urgently with local authorities, local emergency services and local media to warn and if necessary evacuate coastal areas at risk.

Detailed evacuation advice will come from local authorities and local emergency services. People should act on it promptly. If told to evacuate they should, where possible, take a radio and cellular phone with them, along with items that are essential for them such as glasses, hearing aid and medicines.

GNS Science is convening the tsunami expert panel and all available New Zealand and international data about the earthquake and sea levels are being monitored and analysed.

The warning follows an earthquake at:
Location: Samoa Islands Region
Time & Date: 1748 Zulu 29 SEPTEMBER 2009
NZ Time: 0648 NZDT 30 SEPTEMBER 2009
Co-ordinates: 15.3 South 171.0 West
Depth: 33 km
Magnitude: 8.3 (Is provisional and may be adjusted)
The Ministry will release further information as soon as it becomes available.

ENDS

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