A tsunami warning has been extended to cover most of the east coast of New Zealand following the massive earthquake off the Chile coast.
A wave surge of up to 1m could hit the northern Chatham Islands from 11pm on Thursday local time and smaller waves of at least 20cm could hit the mainland after midnight, the Ministry of Civil Defence says.
The tsunami warning was issued after a magnitude 8.3-quake on Thursday morning hit off the coast of Chile, about 9700km across the Pacific Ocean.
At least five people were killed in the South American country and a million people forced to flee.
The warning was a "marine and beach threat" and people were urged to stay out of the water, off beaches and shore areas, and not to go sightseeing.
The danger was from unusually strong currents and unpredictable water flows near the shore.
"This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities," the ministry said.
Flooding of land areas near the shore was not expected, but that assessment might change.
A night surfing event planned for Christchurch's New Brighton Pier, planned by the Canterbury University Boardriding Association, has been put on hold.
Gisborne Civil Defence says a wave height of 30-40cm is expected to reach East Cape just after midnight.
"Strong currents and unusual tidal action is expected over the coming days," said Emergency Manager Louise Bennett.
"These present a risk to people in or near the water at river mouths, marinas, jetties and around rocks and wharves."
Meanwhile, low-lying Mercury Bay Area School in Whitianga on the Coromandel Peninsula has already been evacuated as a precaution, according to the New Zealand Herald.
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