Historical emergencies

The beach and marine tsunami warning has been cancelled.

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the magnitude 7.0 Kermadec Islands region earthquake at 10.55am.

Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand.

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the magnitude 7.7 New Britain Region Papua New Guinea earthquake at 12.58am 15 May.

Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand.

A 7.6M earthquake occured at 5.18pm on Wednesday 5 December 2018 southeast of Loyalty Islands. A no tsunami threat national advisory was issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management.  

A National Advisory: No Tsunami Threat to New Zealand message was issued at 4:04am on 7 September 2018 following a magnitude 8.1 earthquake near Fiji at 3:49am New Zealand time.

A National Advisory:No Tsunami Threat to New Zealand message was issued at 11:03am on 22 August 2018 following a magnitude 6.7 earthquake near Vanuatu.

Following notification of a magnitude 8.0 erathquake in the Gulf of Alaska, "National Advisory - Large Pacific Earthquake Being Assessed" information was published at approx. 11pm on Tuesday 23rd Jan. 

This was followed at approx 1220am by "National Advsiory: No Tsunami Threat" information with some additional messaging around the possibility of strong and unusual currents.

At 1112am on Wednesday 24th Jan, this was updated upon reciept of GNS advice that no wave disturbances would be likley in New Zealand.  

Emergency banner deactivated with Duty Team approval at 5pm, 24th Jan.  

A tsunami warning (beach and marine threat) for Chatham Islands, Pegasus Bay, Northern Coasts of Hawke's Bay and East Cape was issued at 2300 hours on 8 September 2017 following a magnitude 8.2 earthquake near Chiapas Mexico.

A no tsunami threat message had previously been issued at 1803 hours. While initial assessment was that there was no tsunami threat we were advised after further modelling that a beach and marine threat existed for the above areas.

The largest wave amplitude of 35-40cm was recorded at the Chatham Islands. Observations from tidal gauges around other sites of New Zealand have shown maximum wave amplitudes of 15-25cm. 

A cancellation message was issued at 1130 hours on 9 September 2017.

A tsunami threat has been issued for New Zealand coastal areas following the 7.9m earthquake in papua New Guinea at 11.51pm NZ time. No evacuations are necessary at this stage. However, please stay out of the water and off the beaches following this evenings tsunami threat. Continue to follow the advice of your local Civil Defence and stay out of the water and off the beaches.

The potential threat for marine and beach areas has been CANCELLED following the 7.7m earthquake in the Solomons Islands at 6.38am NZ Time. We advise the public who intend to carry out activities in or on the water today, especially along the west coast of both the North and South Islands, that there could be strong and unusual currents for the rest of the day. Therefore, MCDEM advise people to stay out of the water.

National Warning: Tsunami Threat   Issued 0558 hours 2 September 2016 The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) has issued a tsunami warning for East Coast of the North Island (including Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty) and Upper South Island. Confirmation has been received that a tsunami was generated at East Cape.  A wave height measuring 30cm was measured at East Cape a short time ago. The first tsunami activity has arrived.  Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled. People in the above/ coastal areas should: 1. Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities) 2. Stay off beaches and shore areas 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 local civil defence authorities  This warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by MCDEM.   Only messages issued by MCDEM represent the official warning status for New Zealand.  We note the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) has issued a Tsunami Information Statement for this event. PTWC messages do not represent the official warning status for New Zealand.     Local civil defence authorities will interpret this information for their areas and advise public action via local radio stations. MCDEM and scientific advisors are closely monitoring the situation to determine the severity of the threat to New Zealand.