See below for latest updates on the earthquake and marine warning:
08.57:Auckland Civil Defence controller Clive Manly says Radio New Zealand the tsunami warning has been downgraded to "a marine threat".
"There is no tsunami threat but will be a strong current ... disturbances will go on for a few hours."
08.51:Pacific Tsunami Warning Center scientist Barry Hirshorn told Newstalk ZB
the quake generated a 1.9 metre tsunami at Raoul Island.
08.48: Civil Defence national controller David Coetzee said the marine threat was "all the down the east coast to Hawkes Bay."
His advice was to stay out of the water all day, with a strong current likely and unpredictable turbulence in the water.
Any surge could be up to one metre but "probably around 60cm was a calculated guess."
"My advice is to stay out of the water all day."
When asked if people could go and watch the tidal surge, he responded "why would you want to do that, get on with your life."
See here for more Civil Defence Details of the marine threat.
08.38: Civil Defence estimates the wave will reach the East Cape at 8.52am, Northland at 8.54am, Gisborne at 8.59am, and Auckland's east coast at 10am.
People in coastal areas are advised to stay off beaches, stay out of the water, not to go sightseeing, to share this information with family, friends and neighbours, keep up to date with Civil Defence updates and to follow the instructions of Civil Defence local authorities.
See here for more Civil Defence Details of the marine threat.
08.34: A GNS Science spokesman told Radio New Zealand there had not been any aftershocks following the earthquake. He said large earthquakes were common in the Kermadecs region.
08.31: A Department of Conservation spokesman has told Newstalk ZB there are eight 8 DOC staff on Raoul Island near the epicentre, who told him they felt a jolt but no one was hurt and nothing was damage.
08.31: Civil Defence national controller David Coetzee said while the PTWC has dropped its warning, the Civil Defence tsunami warning remains in place.
He told Firstline Civil Defence source information from GNS Science, who he said had "more refined modelling than those used by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii" for predicting tsunami threats to New Zealand.
Coetzee said the wave was not forecast to come over the land, rather there is a marine threat, where turbulent currents are expected for the day.
These may damage boats and people are advised not to go in to the water.
08.18: The Pacific Tsunami Warning centre has cancelled its regional tsunami warning, however the Civil Defence tsunami advisory remains in place.
08.12: A 'marine threat' has been identified, the Auckland Civil Defence spokesman has told Radio New Zealand - with the first wave hitting Auckland around 10am. This provisional advice means that damage to land is unlikely - but there could be a risk to boats. The first wave will not necessarily be the biggest and this advice could change.
08.07: The Civil Defence has activated the National Crisis Management Centre in Wellington.
08.05: The United States Geological Survey has updated the earthquake to a magnitude 7.6 at a depth of 20km, centred 161km east of Raoul Island.
08.00: Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre geophysicist Victor Sardina confirmed to Radio New Zealand a tsunami had been generated, with a buoy off Raoul Island registering a 60cm high tsunami.
However he said this wave would increase at it moved into shallower waters.
"It has the potential to be over a metre," said Sardina.
He said a warning is in place for all areas within 1000km of the earthquake's epicentre.
The Civil Defence said they are assessing the severity of the threat to New Zealand.
People are advised to stay off beaches, stay out of the water, not to go sightseeing, share this information with family, friends and neighbours, keep up to date with Civil Defence updates and to follow the instructions of Civil Defence local authorities.
