A tsunami warning issued following a strong earthquake near Te Anau has been downgraded to an advisory after officials revised the tremor’s magnitude from 6.3 to 5.9. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed that while coastal inundation is no longer expected, the advisory remains in effect for the West Coast of the South Island, specifically from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point, due to the potential for dangerous currents and unpredictable surges.
The earthquake struck at 9:14 p.m. on Thursday, centered 40 kilometers north of Te Anau at a depth of 53 kilometers. Nearly 20,000 people reported feeling the tremor, which was felt across the South Island, including the Otago, Southland, and Canterbury regions.
Public Response and Infrastructure Precautions
Emergency Management Southland stated that those who evacuated to higher ground after feeling the long, strong shaking performed the correct safety procedure. As a precaution, local authorities initiated several infrastructure inspections. The Queenstown Lakes District Council announced the closure of the Edith Cavell Bridge for engineering assessments, with updates expected the following morning. Motorists traveling over the Crown Range were advised to exercise caution and remain alert for rocks or debris potentially dislodged by the shaking. Additionally, the NZ Transport Agency closed State Highway 94 from Te Anau to Milford to inbound traffic to assess for post-earthquake hazards. Residents across the region reported significant shaking. In Wānaka and Alexandra, locals described “very strong” movement and “very loud” rumbling. In Dunedin, residents reported furniture moving, with one individual noting their sofa was swinging sideways, while another in Brockville described their “whole house” shaking.
Civil Defence Website Outage Under Investigation
During the emergency, the Civil Defence website experienced a service outage, prompting an investigation and an apology from NEMA. Southland Mayor Rob Scott confirmed that the site appeared to buckle under the high demand during the crisis.
NEMA stated that the outage, which occurred while the warning was still active, was likely caused by a new issue related to a firewall. The agency noted that it regularly tests its website for high traffic loads—most recently during a nationwide Emergency Mobile Alert test last month—and is now conducting a debrief to identify improvements.
NEMA Director John Price emphasized that the public should not rely solely on digital platforms during an emergency. “You cannot always rely on technology,” Price said, noting that NEMA utilizes a multi-channel approach, including radio, social media, and emergency mobile alerts. He urged residents to follow the “Long or Strong, Get Gone” principle and to trust their “human danger sense” when an event occurs.
Regional Impact and Safety Reminders
Despite the intensity of the shaking, Southland Mayor Rob Scott indicated that the region appeared to have escaped the event relatively unscathed. While there have been reports of minor property damage—including cracking in walls and ceilings—no serious injuries have been reported. Diane Holmes, chairwoman of the Fiordland Community Board, reported significant cracking in her home and damage to personal items, describing the event as a “good shakeup.”
The initial tsunami warning was cancelled late Thursday night after Earth Sciences reported no tsunami signals were detected in the two hours following the quake. NEMA confirmed that the threat had passed by midnight.
Summary of Emergency Measures
| Action | Status |
|---|---|
| Tsunami Warning | Downgraded to advisory, then cancelled |
| Civil Defence Website | Outage confirmed; investigation underway |
| State Highway 94 | Closed to inbound traffic for inspection |
| Edith Cavell Bridge | Closed for engineering assessment |
Geonet recorded several smaller earthquakes in the region following the main event, including a magnitude 4.0 tremor shortly before 5 a.m. on Friday. Officials continue to remind residents that earthquakes can happen at any time and that maintaining a personal emergency plan remains essential.
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