Media release
2 September 2016, 8.44am

Tsunami warning cancelled

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has cancelled the tsunami marine and beach threat warning in place for the North Coast Regions of the North Island of New Zealand following the 7.1m earthquake at 4:38am on 2 September 2016.

Based on all available data, the greatest tsunami activity has now passed. However, coasts may still experience unusual, strong currents and sea level fluctuations lasting for several more hours. Keep out of the water for the next six hours in the areas affected, Northland, Auckland, Waikato, Bay of Plenty and Gisborne. If you feel further shaking which is too strong to stand up, or over 1 minute in duration, move to higher ground immediately. Aftershocks are expected - remember to drop, cover and hold.

Thank you to media organisations for your support today in advising New Zealand of the potential risk we faced. Media play a key role in providing public information during potential and actual emergencies. Timely, professional reporting means more people get the necessary messages, faster. Today, that is exactly what happened. We aim to quickly get information and updates to the public about what has happened, the response, and what the public should or should not do. Thank you for your engagement in that process.

ends

© Scoop Media