As at 09:15 NZDT, 28 February 2010, wave activity as reported on tsunami gauges is now approximately 0.5 metres at the Chatham Islands, and 0.2 metres at East Cape.

Rana Solomon of Chatham Islands Council reports a wave height of 1.5 metres at Pitt Island in the Chathams.

Gisborne, Napier and Castlepoint tsunami gauges are also showing initial activity of approximately the same magnitude as East Cape.

It is important to note that these are the first arrivals and larger waves may follow over a period of several hours.

The situation continues to be closely monitored.

Location	Estimated Wave Arrival Time - Updated
Chatham Islands-Kaingaroa	0752 NZDT 28 February 2010
Chatham Islands-Waitangi	0735 NZDT 28 February 2010
North Cape	0920 NZDT 28 February 2010
Whangarei	0945 NZDT 28 February 2010
Auckland (North Head)	1052 NZDT 28 February 2010
Mt Maunganui	0904 NZDT 28 February 2010
East Cape	0824 NZDT 28 February 2010
Gisborne	0829 NZDT 28 February 2010
New Plymouth	1126 NZDT 28 February 2010
Napier	0853 NZDT 28 February 2010
Wanganui	1020 NZDT 28 February 2010
Wellington	0855 NZDT 28 February 2010
Nelson	1035 NZDT 28 February 2010
Marlborough Sounds (Tory Channel)	0908 NZDT 28 February 2010
Westport	1038 NZDT 28 February 2010
Greymouth	1020 NZDT 28 February 2010
Christchurch (New Brighton)	0935 NZDT 28 February 2010
Timaru	0910 NZDT 28 February 2010
Milford Sound	0935 NZDT 28 February 2010
Dunedin	0900 NZDT 28 February 2010
Bluff	0928 NZDT 28 February 2010
Stewart Island	0951 NZDT 28 February 2010

People in coastal areas should:
1. Stay off beaches
2. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)
3. Do not go sightseeing
4. Share this information with family, neighbours and friends
5. Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates
6. Follow instructions of your local Civil Defence authorities.

Only messages issued by MCDEM represent the official warning status for New Zealand. Local civil defence authorities may supplement these messages by applying local threat assessments.

Confirmation has been received that a tsunami was generated. A wave measuring 2.34 metres was measured at Talcahuano, Chile and 0.35 metres at Easter Island, Chile.

The first wave may arrive later and may not be the largest.
Strong currents and unusual tidal effects may continue for several hours.

Wave heights refer to maximum water level relative to the normal sea level at the beach. This does not take tides into account. Based on historical events it is expected that the greatest wave heights couldl occur between 6 and 12 hours after the initial arrivals.

This warning has been issued to all local civil defence authorities, emergency services, other agencies and media.