Timeline of tsunami in NZ

Timeline of events surrounding the nationwide tsunami alert in New Zealand this weekend:

Saturday, February 27 (NZ time)

7.34pm - Earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale hits Chile.

9.20pm - Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre says sea readings indicate a tsunami was generated.

11.10pm - US Government extends tsunami warning to French Polynesia.

11.18pm - New Zealand Civil Defence issues first tsunami alert.

Sunday, February 28

12.50am - Civil Defence says tsunami could be 1 to 3m in Chatham Islands and Banks Peninsula, up to 1m for many coastal areas of North and South Island.

5am - Banks Peninsula residents warned to be ready to evacuate.

7am - Warning remains in place. Many events around New Zealand cancelled as locals wait to see what the impact will be.

7.30am - A number of New Zealanders seen at beaches to watch for tsunami, frustrating Civil Defence authorities.

7.35am - First 20cm tsunami hits Chatham Islands. People move to higher ground, report seeing water disappearing, often a tsunami precursor.

8.25am - About 80 people flee from the Hawke's Bay settlements of Te Awanga and Haumoana, self-evacuating to Haumoana School. Two further coastal settlements, Ocean Beach and Waimarama, evacuated shortly afterwards.

8.40am - Chatham Islands waves now up to 0.5m, waves at East Cape up to 10cm.

9am - Gisborne residents report seeing water below low tide level, even though high tide was due.

9.15am - Waves of up to 1.5m reported at Pitt Island in the Chathams.

9.20am - Reports of ocean receding at Waikanae Beach, Gisborne.

9.45am - Residents report waves up to 1m hit Tutukaka, near Whangarei, turning harbour into "a washing machine".

10am - Ports of Auckland moves all vessels to deep harbour. Cruise ship Dawn Princess and four Navy ships also head into harbour.

10.08am - Wave heights reported up to 30cm at East Cape, 40cm in Gisborne, and activity reported of up to 20cm in Napier, Castlepoint, Tauranga and North Cape.

11.30am - Chatham Islands residents estimate wave surges reach 2m. Large tidal surges in Banks Peninsula see Akaroa pier completely exposed.

12 noon - Hawke's Bay Civil Defence moves down to a monitoring position.

12.15am - Civil Defence says wave activity has stabilised at levels from the previous hour, but warns of possible surges and larger waves in the next six to 12 hours.

1pm - Maximum confirmed tsunami heights said to be 1m for Chatham Islands, 30cm for North Cape, East Cape, Napier and Mt Maunganui, 40cm for Gisborne.

1.12pm - Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre issues warning cancellation notice; Civil Defence keeps New Zealand alert in place.

2pm - Ports of Auckland and Navy begin moving vessels back to port.

2.55pm - Civil Defence downgrades national warning to an advisory, but warns there is still a chance of surges and rapid sea level changes for up to 24 hours after the initial wave arrivals. Says strong currents expected in harbours and restricted waterways and warns there are still risks, particularly in Chatham Islands and Banks Peninsula.

5.15pm - Civil Defence says wave action of up to 1m continues on east coast of North and South Island and Chatham Islands, says risks to people in boats and on beaches for coastal communities remain.

- NZPA