Canterbury Emergency Management Co-ordination Centre has been activated and staff are monitoring the situation following two earthquakes off Vanuatu after 11 am today.
The Ministry of Civil Defence has advised of a potential tsunami threat to New Zealand coastal communities.
Fire, Police, local authorities and others are on standby. Canterbury port authorities have been notified.
The potential arrival time of a wave generated from Vanuatu would be late afternoon Canterbury coast, after 5 pm.
For updated information: www.mcdem.govt.nz or www.civildefence.govt.nz
For further information: Canterbury Regional Emergency Management Office Manager Jon Mitchell 027 208 0374.
Media contacts nationally:
Public Information Duty Manager,
Telephone: Mobile 027 276 7587, Office: 04 495 6835
E-mail: pim@ncmc.govt.nz
Useful websites:
http://www.getthru.govt.nz/web/GetThru.nsf/web/BOWN-7GZVAT?OpenDocument
http://www.civildefence.govt.nz/
www.geonet.org.nz/tsunami