New Zealand civil defense authorities have cancelled its tsunami warning after a magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck in the Pacific Ocean northeast of the country.

A tsunami was confirmed from the earthquake in the Kermadec Islands but the latest advice from GNS Science is that the tsunami does not represent a threat to New Zealand.

However, they expect that there will be unusually strong tidal surges and currents. For the next 24 hours people should exercise caution and discretion before entering the water or going out in small boats in all parts of New Zealand.
The U.S. Pacific Tsunami Center has also cancelled its warning.

The center said sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated and it may have been destructive along coasts near the earthquake epicenter.

“For those areas - when no major waves are observed for two hours after the estimated time of arrival or damaging waves have not occurred for at least two hours then local authorities can assume the threat is passed,” the center said.

Danger to boats and coastal structures, however, can continue for several hours due to rapid currents. As local conditions can cause a wide variation in tsunami wave action the all clear determination must be made by local authorities.