The day the tsunamis hit NZ’S shores
The shaking began at 2.27am yesterday, rousing more than 50,000 people from their slumber.
Some stayed in bed, while others crouched in the dark under tables or doorways as the ground rolled and rolled, each wondering how big would it get.
The early morning earthquake, striking at a magnitude of 7.1, was the first of three, hitting about 100 kilometres east of Te Araroa in the North Island, that would send thousands heading for the hills.
In the capital, Wilson Chau worried at its size, that she could feel it hundreds of kilometres away.
In Christchurch, Bonnie Brown described a long, slow and rolling quake that rocked her bedroom and rattled her windows.
At 2.40am, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) along with GNS Science were determining if there was a tsunami risk. For those that lived by the coast, from Cape Runaway to Tolaga Bay, they were told to listen for updates, stay out of the water and away from beaches.
An hour later, a tsunami warning was issued. A NEMA spokesperson said anyone who felt the quake for more than a minute or had trouble standing, should immediately move to high ground or inland as far as possible.
Strong and unusual currents with unpredictable surges near the shore were expected with the first waves to reach East Cape at 3.34am.
‘‘Evacuation advice overrides the current Covid-19 alert level requirements ... if you are told to evacuate do not stay at home,’’ NEMA said.
In Tokomaru Bay, 91km north of Gisborne, hundreds of residents left their homes for higher ground.
Gina Chaffey-aupouri, who has lived in Tokomaru Bay for the past 60 years, said she had never experienced anything like it.
‘‘This is the first time I have ever seen a surge. They have occurred about three times since evacuating.
‘‘At first, you see the sea and its stillness, then it begins to swirl and go in all different directions.’’
By 5.07am, NEMA was saying coastal flooding was no longer expected and, unless local civil defence said otherwise, people could return to the coast.
Another Tokomaru Bay resident, Ivan Lomax said he was at a house 60-70 metres above the wharf.
‘‘We didn’t actually see the surge come in but we started getting all these ‘are you all right messages’ with pictures and videos.’’
Lomax later returned home only to evacuate again as two more quakes struck.
Less than two hours later, a second quake with a magnitude of 7.4 struck near the Kermadec Islands.
At 8.28am, a third quake with a magnitude of 8.1 hit the same spot.
For those that lived by the coast, the response was clear. Grab a bag and head to higher ground again.
People from the Bay of Islands to Whanga¯rei, from Matata¯ to Tolaga
Bay including Whakata¯ne and
po¯tiki, and Great Barrier Island were also told to evacuate. In other areas, people were warned to stay away from beach and marine areas due to an upcoming high tide that coincided with some strong and unusual currents.
At Whanga¯rei’s Teal Bay, Jeff and Ros Lowrey were just about to go out in their kayaks when the first warning went off on their phones about 8.50am.
Jeff was pleased he got the warning before they were in the water.
‘‘I think it would have been OK out on the water but it is coming back in [that is dangerous].’’
Anthony Barber, from Te Ko¯hanga Reo o Mo¯kau, said when the sirens were heard at the lowlying settlement of Mo¯kau, northeast of Whanga¯rei, everyone at the ko¯hanga was packed into its
‘‘If you are told to evacuate do not stay at home.’’
National Emergency Management Agency
van, including the 11 children there.
‘‘We just threw them all into the van and off we go,’’ he said.
In the Northland town of Ruaka¯ka¯, Rhys Owen was at work when he received an emergency alert on his cellphone and later heard the sirens go off.
Hopping into the car with one of his stepchildren, a workmate and their two dogs – Owen was stuck ‘‘in pretty heavy traffic’’ at Marsden Pt heading towards the Ruaka¯ka¯ roundabout. His other children at
Bream Bay High School had already been moved to high ground by the school. There was no sign of panic yet but he noted the tall trees lining the road.
‘‘If we have to get out and clamber up we will.’’
In the east coast north of Matata¯, police evacuated campgrounds and houses close to the beach, blocking access to the low-lying stretch of highway which runs alongside the sea.
A coffee truck turned over its best business of the year, as evacuees stuck in traffic grew hungry and children begged for a treat. Most drivers were understanding. But others panicked.
One mum did a U-turn and headed back to try an inland route. ‘‘My kids have been sent home from school. I have to get to them.’’
Stranded at a police block,
Courtney and Ava Miekle had planned to evacuate to higher ground near the Bay of Plenty’s
tamara¯kau. Courtney Miekle said she was trying to get to Ava’s school but the road was blocked. Unable to go back as the road was closed, the family had an impromptu picnic ordering chocolate milk and pies from a nearby coffee cart.
Late yesterday morning, Emergency Management Minister Kiri Allan said the tsunami threat had been a ‘‘dynamic event that is constantly evolving’’.
GNS scientist Bill Fry, who has been in New Zealand for 13 years responding to earthquakes and tsunamis, this was the first time this particular sequence had occurred.
‘‘When we have a big earthquake like the first one at 2am this morning, we know in the region it is very proximal to that earthquake – the nearby region it is highly likely to have another earthquake, usually that is not bigger than the first which is what we have seen today but it does happen.’’
By 1.15pm, Allan shared on social media that GNS Science had advised the largest waves had passed.
‘‘Therefore the threat level is now downgraded to a beach and marine threat for all areas which were previously under land and marine threat,’’ Allan wrote.
‘‘All people who evacuated can now return.’’ By 3.43pm, the tsunami warning issued by NEMA after the earthquakes had been cancelled.