7.1 Earthquake: Bay of Plenty residents evacuate after early morning quake

QUAKE LATEST
* A massive 7.1 magnitude quake has struck off New Zealand's east coast
* A tsunami warning was issued but residents can now return home
* A marine warning has also been lifted
* The quake struck at 2.27am and was widely felt across the North Island and parts of the South Island
* 'Terrifying', 'Oh my god', 'Biggest one I've ever felt': Residents tell of horror of shaking
* PM Jacinda Ardern: "[I] hope everyone is OK out there."
* Issues reported in receiving cellphone emergency alert notifications

Many of Bay of Plenty's coastal residents took a better safe than sorry approach after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake resulted in tsunami warnings for some areas this morning.

While Bay of Plenty was not one of the areas told to evacuate their homes by the National Emergency Management Agency, lines of cars were seen leaving areas such as Ōhope.

Many took to Facebook to voice their concerns and offer guidance.

"Good on those who used their own brains and evacuated, instead of waiting to be told what to do," one said.

There were many messages of support; "Stay safe everyone" and "keep safe out there whānau".

Here's a visualisation of the severe earthquake from early this morning off the east coast of the North Island. Note the numerous aftershocks.

Data courtesy of @gnsscience pic.twitter.com/13oraX0ppB

— NIWA Weather (@NiwaWeather) March 4, 2021

One Ōhope resident who did not want to be named said the road was quiet now but it was "a good shake".

"We're living in a camper van at the moment and it was rocking and rolling," he said.

"It was one of the biggest I've felt in a while and I've come from Wellington where we had quite a few shakes.

"There doesn't seem to be much happening on the roads now, I've just started work, but I did hear some campers went up to the top of the hill after the earthquake hit."

Ōpōtiki mayor Lyn Riesterer said some residents had self-evacuated following the tsunami warning but appeared to have returned home early this morning.

"People did self-evacuate which I thought was very sensible because there was a tsunami warning first up. They reduced that down quickly to just wave surges which is good."

Riesterer wasn't aware of any damage about town either but said Waiotahe Valley School was closed as they were without power.

She said the earthquake woke her up and it shook for a long time, however, it wasn't violent.

Ōhope Christian Camp manager Paul Atkinson said the earthquake woke everyone up but there was no damage done.

"It was very big, it went for a long time," he said.

"We were here for the Edgecumbe one a few years ago so it does bring back those memories, it is a bit scary.

"We didn't get a tsunami warning on our phones or anything but apparently there were people in Whakatāne going to the top of hills."

Coastguard Tauranga president Simon Barker said boaties were out on the water as normal this morning.

He said there was no cause for concern after the beach and marine threat was cancelled, which was before most activity on the water.

If the situation were to change, Coastguard would get the word out to boaties, Barker said.

A spokeswoman for Port of Tauranga said they suffered no damage overnight and everything was running as normal.

A tsunami warning scare overnight hasn't stopped Tauranga boaties getting out on the water this morning. Photo / George Novak

There has been another earthquake north of New Zealand, separate to the 2.27am Hikurangi quake this morning.

There is a marine advisory in place - strong currents and unpredictable surges - for areas on the east coast north of Auckland from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei but not the Bay of Plenty.

The National Emergency Management Agency earlier issued a tsunami warning for New Zealand coastal areas after the massive earthquake, which was centred off the East Cape.

It had asked people near the coast from Cape Runaway to Tolaga Bay to move to higher ground. Police this morning conducted "reassurance" patrols along the East Cape this morning to help those who evacuated.

However, residents who evacuated can now return to their homes. The agency said just after 5am there was no need to evacuate other areas unless advised by local civil defence authorities.

Coastal flooding is no longer expected.

Meanwhile, trains were halted and lines across eastern parts of the North Island are now closed ahead of track inspection for possible quake damage.

The National Advisory issued following the 7.3 earthquake near EAST OF THE NORTH ISLAND NEW ZEALAND at 2021-03-05 2:27 AM New Zealand Daylight/Standard Time is cancelled.

— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) March 4, 2021

Kiwirail chief operating officer Todd Moyle said the network was shut soon after the tremor struck from Napier to Wairoa, Tauranga to Kawerau, and from Kawerau to Murupara, pending inspections by track staff.

"Two log services were halted while we worked to ensure the safety of our network, however both have now resumed their service," Moyle said.

No other freight services were affected.

Moyle said the inspection of the Napier line would take place later today as the next train wasn't scheduled to run until tomorrow.

Geonet reported the 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck near 95km east of Te Araroa, in the North Island, at 2.27am, causing 'severe' shaking.

It was originally reported as a 7.4m quake, then downgraded.

The intensity of the quake was described as severe.

It's business as usual for Tauranga boaties this morning, despite a tsunami scare overnight. Photo / George Novak

The quake was felt across New Zealand, with people in Auckland, Wellington and even Christchurch reporting the shaking.

The National Emergency Management Agency said the first waves may have reached New Zealand in the areas around East Cape about 3.14am.

"Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled."

Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges near the shore are expected in all coastal areas of the North and South Islands, Great Barrier Island and Stewart Island.

More to come.