Northlanders living on the coast were evacuated early this morning after tsunami sirens were activated following an earthquake in the South Island.
About 2am tsunami sirens were activated and Civil Defence Northland posted on Facebook asking Northlanders living on the coast to move inland or to higher ground immediately after the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management reported that there was an imminent threat.
The Advocate understands people in Ruakaka and Tutukaka evacuated and moved to the hills.
About 3am Northlanders were told by Civil Defence it was safe to return home.
Do you have any photos of the evacuation? Email them to us at reporters@northernadvocate.co.nz