Despite initial warnings of a 1m tsunami striking New Zealand's east coast following the 8.3 quake, it did not occur, disappointing spectators eager to catch a glimpse of the rogue waveA tsunami measuring 5cm was recorded at Taiaroa Head, Dunedin City Council civil defence training officer Glenn Mitchell said.
"Nothing to be worried about," he said.
However, it was a different story for the 2000 Samoans estimated to be living in Dunedin, as they struggled to contact family and friends because of disruptions to phone lines and the internet.
University of Otago Pacific Island Centre manager Tofialau Nina Kirifi-Alai said tearful students were provided with assistance to call home, in what had been a "very difficult day".
"A number of people have lost extended family."
Many of the affected students were away from family and friends, and a visit by vice-chancellor David Skegg offering support was appreciated by students and staff, she said.
Mrs Kirifi-Alai said after talking to relatives from the main island of Upolo she was concerned about "the real number of casualties".
"The final toll will be much higher."
Commerce student Aljay Malama (20) managed to contact family, to be told by his aunt the tsunami came within metres of the family home, located more than 150m from the beach on the northern coast of Upolu.
His aunt told him of an elderly man and woman swept up by the tsunami and then later found alive "stuck in some bushes".
Liai Semisi (21), who left her home in Apia in February to attend Otago University, said an uncle in American Samoa told her the coastal area had been destroyed.
"It is very sad news."
The Rev Nimarota Lale, of the Pacific Islands Presbyterian Church in Dunedin, said it would take days before the final death toll and the full extent of the damage were known.
"It is not looking good."
A special informal service was held at the church last night, when members of the Pacific Island community in North Dunedin lit candles, prayed and watched television news reports.
The Rev Posala Tioa, of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa in Dunedin, said "part of the problem is that communications is not very good".
"We are phoning every 15 minutes but cannot get through".
Dunedin man Douglas Clark, a humanitarian aid worker with the Red Cross, flew to Samoa last night, to provide assistance to the Samoan Red Cross and undertake an assessment of the area.
At noon yesterday, dozens of spectators lined St Clair and St Kilda beaches following warnings a wave up to 1m high could reach Dunedin at 12.31pm.
Several surfers ignored advice from spectators about a possible tsunami and headed into the water at St Clair.
St Hildas Collegiate year 11 pupils Becky Cowie (16), Anna McAslan (16), Mandy Macdonald (16) and Kendra Jeffery (16) said they came to the beach following news reports the tsunami could hit Dunedin.
Despite getting excited over several large waves, the girls were not sure if the tsunami struck.
Also waiting for the tsunami was University of Otago student Skye Flannigan, of California, who said it brought back memories of her time volunteering in Thailand following the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.
"I'm not sure if I even want to see this."
In North Otago, the Waitaki civil defence headquarters was activated at 8am as a precaution, along with two coastal rural fire parties, police and Whitestone Contracting.
Waitaki emergency services manager Chris Raine said the biggest worry was whitebaiters at rivers along the coast, between the Waitaki and Shag Rivers.
A helicopter was used to get into more remote low-lying coastal areas to warn whitebaiters.
Some whitebaiters ignored the warnings and kept fishing, including below the Kakanui River bridge at Kakanui where whitebait were running.
However, the area around the Kakanui River mouth was evacuated, with most waiting on high ground for an all-clear.
The road to Oamaru Harbour was closed from about 11am for the first wave, but reopened later.
The Hampden Fire Brigade was used to close off Hampden beach, one of the most low-lying areas in North Otago.
Four or five Waihemo civil defence volunteers were also out in low-lying areas warning people.
Tsunami warnings were broadcast over North Otago radio stations.
