TSUNAMI WARNING LATEST:

• Authorities have cancelled a tsunami advisory for coastal parts of NZ, predominantly in Northland
• It was issued after a 7.7 earthquake near New Caledonia at 2.20am this morning
• Civil Defence says NZ can expect strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore.
• However people in coastal parts of NZ warned to remain cautious for rest of today due to potential for 'large unexpected currents'

People in coastal areas of New Zealand need to remain on alert for the rest of the today after a 7.7 magnitude earthquake southeast of Loyalty Islands, near New Caledonia.

Civil Defence issued a warning early this morning that it expects New Zealand coastal areas to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore.

Authorities said just before 9.30am that the tsunami warning had now been cancelled.

"Based on the most recent modelling and decreasing tsunami amplitudes at North Cape, Great Barrier Island and the East Cape, the tsunami threat has passed for New Zealand," the National Emergency Management Agency said.

"There could still be large unexpected currents and the public are advised to continue to take precautions in coastal zones for the rest of today."

Earlier: Warning to stay away from beaches, waterways

People in or near the sea in the following areas had been told to move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas, and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries.

They were the northern tip of the country from Ahipara on the west coast around to the Bay of Islands on the east; Great Barrier Island, and from Matata to Tolaga Bay.