The Top of the South is warned to prepare for unpredictable currents and sea surges following a huge earthquake near the Kermadec Islands on Friday.
The 8.1 magnitude quake struck on Friday morning prompting the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to issue a Tsunami Warning for areas at the top of the North Island.
NEMA have since expanded the tidal warnings to include parts of the South Island including the West Coast and entire Top of the South.
They warn coastal areas to be aware of strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges near the shore.
The wave amplitude for the region is expected to be anywhere between 0.3 and 1m.
This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities from Farewell Spit to Port Underwood including Nelson, Picton and the Marlborough Sounds. This is not expected to cause a threat to land.
The severity of currents and surges will vary within a particular coastal area and over the period this warning is in effect.
