Kermadec quake triggers tsunami alert

Today's tsunami alert highlights again why Tauranga needs to get moving on getting evacuation routes in place for Mount Maunganui and Papamoa.
This is the view of Papamoa Progressive Association chairman Steve Morris, who says it was great how quickly word got out that a tsunami had been generated by the 7.6 magnitude earthquake at the Kermadec Islands, and he was relieved that it was downgraded to a marine threat.
The 7.8 magnitude quake struck at a depth of 48km in the Kermadec Islands region, which is 800-1000km north of New Zealand, at 7.03am.
But it once again showed how a big tsunami generated at the Kermadecs was a classic case for why sirens and evacuation routes were vital to save lives along the city's vulnerable coastal strip, he said.
"It highlights how we need to get moving on the evacuation routes - that it is the key thing."
Tauranga City Council recently took the initiative and decided to spend up to $1 million on sirens, with the 51,000 at-risk residents in lower lying areas expected to see the sirens installed within two years.
The national tsunami warning was lifted as this edition went to press however a marine threat warning was still in place for coastal areas between Northland and Hawkes Bay, including the Bay of Plenty. For the next 24 hours people should exercise caution and discretion before entering the water or going out in small boats in all parts of the country.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) issued a tsunami warning in response to the quake.
The Bay's Emergency Management Group controller Warwick Murray said it was not expected that the wave would go higher than the high tide mark.
"Scientists are working frantically to get a good fix on the data."
The advice was that it was to arrive at East Cape at 8.52am and he assumed the effects would be felt at the Mount and Papamoa fairly soon after that.
But it was business as usual at the
Kermadec quake triggers tsunami
From A1base of Mauao this morning with cafes setting up for the day's trading, walkers heading around or up the mountain and workers gathering for a hot brew to start the morning.
Manager of Cafe Cabana Jason O'Reilly said the tsunami warning was a concern.
"It's a bit of a worry, eh. The world at the moment is just awry. We're going to keep the volume up today on the radio. There should be a siren along here that should go off."
Mr O'Reilly said the safety of his mother and sister would be his first port of call if the sirens began sounding, before getting everybody up the Mount.
Deckchair cafe manager Rochelle Clark said staff had been at work since 6.30am and were not aware the tsunami warning had been issued.
"I used to live in Christchurch so I'm not too worried about it. We'll be keeping an eye on the sea."
At nearby The Pavilions apartments, owner/manager Raewyn Brindle had just heard the news.
"I'm wary about it, not worried," she said.
About four years ago Mrs Brindle said she had spent half a day on the top story of the building waiting for a tsunami warning to be lifted.
"So many times we've run up to the top floor and waited. It's something you're very aware of. I don't take the warnings lightly."
Mrs Brindle said she took guests with her to higher ground during the warnings.
"I guess it's a bit like captain of a ship, you're in charge here so you don't run away. On par with a fire, the sirens go off, you're here to look after everybody."
Mount Maunganui Surf Lifesaving Club moved quad bikes and IRBs to higher ground after the warning was issued.
"So if anything does happen we've still got our capabilities," club administrator Shelley Kerr said.
Police northern communications Inspector Cornell Kluessien said police officers were usually needed to help clear people from beaches and at-risk areas
however the tsunami alert was downgraded  before police arrived at beaches.
Western Bay schools were also on alert this morning.
Mount Maunganui College principal Terry Collett said staff monitored the situation and the school remained open.
"If it's only a metre high, that's okay, but if it was more then we would have to put our tsunami plan into action."
This involved evacuating students from the school ground, Mr Collett said.
Staff at Arataki School and Tahatai Coast School were also on alert and listening to Civil Defence advice this morning.
Palm Beach Plaza, Fashion Island and Bayfair Shopping Centre remained open.