Stay off beaches

A tsunami has been generated this morning after a 7.8 earthquake in the Kermadec Islands north-east of the North Island, and is expected to reach East Cape shortly before 9am.

Gisborne Civil Defence controller Jon Davies says that a small wave has been generated which has created a marine threat only. There is no threat to land and no evacuations are currently planned.

Any small wave is expected to arrive at East Cape at 8.45am and at East Coast beaches at 9am and the threat will remain for the remainder of the day.

“The messages are to stay off the beaches and out of the water. Don’t go fishing. Share this information with your family and friends. Listen to the radio and to your local Civil Defence for updates.

“While any surface wave may appear small, the threats to tidal currents and water movement are unpredictable.”

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