Tsunami Update - Dragonboat Event Cancelled

Today's dragonboat racing event on Wellington Harbour has been cancelled as a safety precaution in light of the nationwide tsunami alert.

Civil-defence staff and Police asked the event organisers to cancel the event following reports in the past hour about marked sea-level changes in the Gisborne area.

Wellington civil-defence Controller Mike Mendonca says it is better to take a cautious approach. The dragonboat event organisers have been contacted and told to keep competitors out of the water.

"Our advice for everyone is to stay away from beaches and low-lying coastal areas until further notice - when the all-clear is given."

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