No Tsunamu Threat on the Southland Coast (25 Mar).

An assessment of the 6.7 magnitude earthquake that was centred off the south-west coast of Tuatapere poses NO THREAT of a tsunami on the Southland coast, Civil Defence Controller Aly Curd said.

People who have left the coast as a precaution may now return but are advised to stay away from beaches and out of the water for the next 12 hours as currents and tidal patterns may have been affected. Boaties should also exercise extreme caution.

The earthquake was widely felt across Southland.

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A 6.7 magnitude earthquake has struck off the lower South Island, it was originally a 7.0 but has been downgraded by The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA).

NEMA and GNS Science were assessing whether the earthquake had created a tsunami that could affect New Zealand.

If a tsunami has been generated in this location it is not likely to arrive in New Zealand for at least 1 hour.