National Warning: Tsunami Threat to New Zealand
Update: Tsunami confirmed

No:  02

Issued at 0755 hours on 7 July 2011
 
Issued by the Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM).

A tsunami warning is in effect for New Zealand:
The tsunami warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by MCDEM.

An earthquake has occurred with these parameters:
Origin time:
1903Z 06 July 2011
NZ time:
0703 NZDT 7 July 2011
Co-ordinates:
29.4 SOUTH  175.7 WEST
Depth:
48 km
Location:
Kermadec Islands
Magnitude:
7.8
The above magnitude is provisional and may be increased or decreased as more seismic data becomes available.  

Summary:

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) has issued a Tsunami Warning in response to the above earthquake.  A marine threat for Northland, Bay of Plenty, East Coast and Hawkes Bay has been identified.

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 been received that a tsunami was generated. 

The first wave to arrive to New Zealand will be in the areas around at approximately 0852 7 July 2011. The first wave may arrive later and may not be the largest. Waves will continue for several hours.

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.

MCDEM and scientific advisors are closely monitoring the situation to determine the severity of the threat to New Zealand.

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

Information for emergency managers:

Estimates of expected wave arrival times are as follows:

Note: These times are provisional and based on the best information available.  Arrival times may be as much as one hour later and may be adjusted in subsequent messages.
Location
Estimated Wave Arrival Time
Chatham Islands-Kaingaroa
No information available
Chatham Islands-Waitangi
No information available
North Cape
0854 7 July 2011 NZDT
Whangarei
No information available
Auckland  (East)
1000 7 July 2011 NZDT
Mt Maunganui
No information available
East Cape
0852 7 July 2011 NZDT
Gisborne
0859 7 July 2011 NZDT
New Plymouth
No information available
Napier
No information available
Wanganui
No information available
Wellington
No information available
Nelson
No information available
Marlborough Sounds
No information available
Westport
No information available
Greymouth
No information available
Lyttelton
No information available
Timaru
No information available
Milford Sound
No information available
Dunedin
No information available
Bluff
No information available
Stewart Island
No information available

Local and regional/Group Civil Defence Emergency Management must:

1. Maintain activation of appropriate response coordination arrangements and communication processes
2. Keep potentially at-risk communities informed as appropriate
3. Maintain contact with the NCMC (CDEM Groups only)
4. Stand by for further information.

Local CDEM to act in coordination with regional/Group CDEM.

Local emergency services must establish and maintain active response coordination with respective local and reginoal/Group Civil Defence Emergency Management.

MCDEM is continuing activation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with public broadcasters to broadcast this warning.

NCMC status: 

The National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) is activated. 

Useful websites:
http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/
http://www.getthru.govt.nz/

Further updates:

A further update with more information will follow within the next hour.  Until a cancellation is issued updates will continue at least hourly.  All further updates will be communicated by MCDEM via the national warning system.

Issued by:

Message authorised by the National Controller, Civil Defence Emergency Management.

End of Message

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