Tsunami warning cancelled

The small tsunami generated this morning after a 7.8 earthquake in the Kermadec Islands north-east of the North Island has been cancelled.

GNS Science says the tsunami does not represent a threat to New Zealand.  However, unusually strong tidal surges and currents may be expected.

Gisborne Civil Defence controller Jon Davies says minimal wave activity was generated.

“The threat to New Zealand has been minimal but there may still be unusual marine activity so caution and discretion is still needed on the beach and in the water and rivers for the next 24 hours.”

The Gisborne Civil Defence and Emergency Management office was activated early this morning and Civil Defence personnel were on the ground in the East Cape area where a first wave was expected shortly before 9am. 

A marine threat means there could be stronger currents than normal and unusual water patterns around the coast. These factors may be exacerbated by an incoming tide.

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