Radio Ngati Porou has been getting the word out this morning about the risk of a tsunami after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake 130km north-east of Te Araroa.
Station manager Erana Keelan-Reedy says the 4.37 am jolt knocked her nanny’s photo off the wall, and she was up immediately coordinating the station’s response, including a drive up to Te Araroa to see evacuation plans were working.
Coasties made their way to evacuation points, some families still in their pyjamas, and schools near the coast cancelled classes for the day.
She says even though there was no big wave this time, the chance is always there that a movement in the nearby edge of the Pacific Plate could trigger a catastophic tsunami.
"There’s a whole lot of little shakes happening since the earthquake, so Kia Mataara ! is the message we need to send to everyone on the coast, don't be too complacent but be prepared to get away from the sea if anything major happens or there is another big shake," Ms Keelan-Reedy says.
Civil Defence lifted the tsunami warning at 8am, but said strong currents and sea fluctuation levels were likely to continue through the morning.
