Wellington (Xinhua): New Zealand Civil Defence said on Saturday no further tsunami threat exists for New Zealand coastlines as a result of the Japan earthquake and its alert for New Zealand has been cancelled.
However, the Civil Defence advisory issued at 5.30 p.m. on Saturday said minor fluctuations in sea level may continue for up to 48 hours and caution is advised on beaches and in marine environments.
Tidal surges following the quake reached New Zealand on Saturday,and in some locations, waves were up to 1 metre high.
Civil Defence said the first waves at Raoul Island in the Kermadecs were recorded at 6.35 a.m. on Saturday (17:35 GMT Friday) and the first at North Cape were at 7.10 a.m..
Video image taken from NHK shows the airport of Sendai hit by tsunami caused by the earthquake in Sendai, Japan. (Xinhua)
The initial waves were 15 cm high but subsequently increased to up to 70 cm.
There have been reports of some harbours and bays experiencing waves of up to 1 metre and tidal surges.
A Civil Defence advisory issued at 4.13 p.m. on Saturday said Chatham Islands had recorded sea level changes of more than 1 meter.
A marine threat was in place for the northern North Island from Kaipara to Ahipara and south of the Karikari Peninsula, around Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty to Gisborne.
The threat means strong and unusual currents are possible in the sea, river mouths and estuaries and could damage small boats.
