TE PUKE, NZ – July 30, 2025 – Coastal areas across New Zealand, including our very own Bay of Plenty, are currently under a beach and marine threat following a powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake off the coast of Kamchatka, Russia. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has issued a nationwide advisory, warning of strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges.
BREAKING: Tsunami waves begin to flood town in Russia’s Severo-Kurilsk
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) July 30, 2025
Widespread Areas Under Threat
NEMA’s advisory extends to a significant portion of New Zealand’s coastline. In the North Island, this includes the West Coast from Cape Reinga to Raglan (encompassing the West Coast of Auckland and Manukau Harbour), and from Hawera to Whanganui. The East and South Coasts of the North Island, from Cape Reinga to Makara, are also affected, including Whangarei, Great Barrier Island, the East Coast of Auckland, Waiheke Island, Waitemata Harbour, Tauranga, Whakatane, Opotiki, Gisborne, Napier, Lake Ferry, the Wellington South Coast, and Wellington Harbour.
For the South Island, the West Coast from Farewell Spit to Milford Sound (including Westport, Greymouth, and Hokitika), and the top of the South Island from Farewell Spit to Port Underwood (including Nelson, Picton, and the Marlborough Sounds) are under threat. The East and South Coasts of the South Island, from the Clarence River to Puysegur Point (including Kaikoura, Christchurch, Banks Peninsula, Timaru, Oamaru, Dunedin, the Otago Peninsula, and Invercargill), are also impacted. Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands complete the list of affected areas.
Urgent Advice for Coastal Residents
NEMA stresses that this is a serious marine threat, even though coastal inundation (flooding of land areas near the shore) is not expected. The primary danger comes from the unpredictable nature of strong currents and surges, which “can injure and drown people.”
If you are in an area under threat, NEMA advises you to:
- STAY OFF THE BEACHES AND SHORE AREAS.
- Move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas, and away from harbours, marinas, rivers, and estuaries.
- If you are on a boat, live-aboard, or at a marina, leave your vessel and move onto shore immediately. Do not return to boats unless specifically instructed by officials.
- Do not go to the coast to watch the unusual wave activity as there may be dangerous and unpredictable surges.
- Listen to local civil defence authorities and follow any instructions. There is no need to evacuate other areas unless directly advised by your local civil defence.
- Share this information with family, neighbours, and friends.
Notable quake, preliminary info: M 8.0 – 136 km ESE of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia https://t.co/pecsU8xcSy
— USGS Earthquakes (@USGS_Quakes) July 29, 2025
Ongoing Threat
While specific timings for the first tsunami activity are currently unavailable, NEMA warns that strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for several hours. This threat is considered real and will remain in effect until the advisory is officially cancelled. The situation may change as new information becomes available, so it’s crucial to listen to the radio or TV for updates, or check www.civildefence.govt.nz.
Local authorities in Te Puke and the wider Bay of Plenty are closely monitoring the situation. Stay safe, Te Puke.
