The quake was the third to hit the area on Friday morning, according to the New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency.
The east coast of the North Island from the Bay of Islands to Whangarei, from Matata to Tolaga Bay, including Whakatane and Opotiki and Great Barrier Island, are all included in the tsunami warning.
“The quake may not have been felt in some of these areas, but evacuation should take place immediately as a damaging tsunami is possible,” the agency said in a statement.
‘People in all other areas who have felt a long or strong earthquake that makes it difficult to stand up, or have lasted more than a minute, should move immediately to the nearest high ground, from all tsunami evacuation zones or so far possibly inland. . “
The statement adds that the evacuation notice dominates Covid-19 advice.
This is an evolving story. More to come.