A tsunami has hit after an earthquake struck New Zealand’s South Island. The US Geological Survey said the magnitude-7.8 quake hit today, some 95 kilometre from Christchurch.
The tsunami arrived in the north-eastern coast about two hours later. Officials said the first waves may not be the largest, with tsunami activity possible for several hours.
Residents were warned to head inland or for higher ground along the coast. According to Weatherwatch, a gauge at Kaikoura, 181 kilometre north of Christchurch, measured a wave of two metres (6ft 5ins).
Smaller waves are said to be arriving in Wellington and other areas.
Residents in the Chatham Islands, an archipelago 680 kilometre south-east of the mainland, were also being warned a wave would hit imminently by the civil defence.
Radio New Zealand reported thousands of people have already evacuated their homes. Others have taken to social media to offer people a safe bed for the night.