Three earthquakes hit off New Zealand's coastal areas, residents warned to avoid coast

March 7, 2021 On Friday, after three earthquakes hit near both the and about 105 km off New Zealand's east coast, people across New Zealand were instructed by the government to stay away from beach and shore areas.

The first earthquake hit at 2:27 AM local time at a depth of 10km, and registered 7.1 according to. It was felt across the North Island and parts of the South Island. Two 7.4 and 8.1 earthquakes were recorded near the Kermadec Islands by New Zealand's (NEMA). Radio New Zealand reported more than a dozen aftershocks, some as strong as 5.4, were recorded.

NEMA had issued a warning around 9:45 AM there was a land and marine threat and flooding was expected on the coast from  to  and, as well as New Zealand's East Coast from  to. However, this advice was later revised. At 2:48 PM, the tsunami warning was cancelled. The newer notifications mentioned "Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges will continue for up to another 24 hours", and residents were instructed to "remain vigilant and take extra precautions".

On, New Zealand Prime Minister posted "Hope everyone is OK out there – especially on the East Coast who would have felt the full force of that earthquake". Minister for Emergency Management stated in a press conference all of Ōpōtiki had been evacuated, and "people have done the right things in the regions by picking up and packing up and staying calm."