A tsunami advisory will remain in place for New Zealand overnight, Civil Defence says.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre this afternoon cancelled the warning for New Zealand, following last night's 8.8 magnitude earthquake near Chile, which has killed at least 300 people.
New Zealanders were today warned to keep away from beaches amid fears a massive surge of water could come ashore.
The warning had mixed results as some sought high ground while others were either unaware of the threat or chose to ignore warnings, taking to the beaches and to the water in their boats.
The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management this afternoon downgraded the warning for New Zealand to advisory status, which would remain in place overnight and be reviewed at 8am tomorrow.
Wave action of up to 1 metre continued to show on tidal gauges across the east coast of the North and South Islands and the Chatham Islands, without any indication of that height decreasing, the ministry said.
The first waves hit New Zealand about 8am today and the Chatham Islands and Banks Peninsula could still expect waves between 1 and 3 metres.
"Scientific advice is that there is still a likelihood of surges and rapid sea level changes over the 24 hours after the initial wave arrivals.
"Wave heights could be larger than what we have currently experienced."
Strong currents could be expected in harbours and restricted waterways.
The situation continued to pose a risk to people in boats and on beaches for coastal communities and people should continue to stay off beaches and out of waterways, the ministry said.
Yesterday's earthquake which struck off the coast of Chile about 7.30pm NZT, tearing apart houses, bridges and highways and sending the tsunami racing across the Pacific at speeds of up to 700kmh.
In the Chatham Islands the wave surge reached about 1m.
The water rose 0.4m in Gisborne and 0.3m at East Cape, Napier, Castlepoint, Tauranga and North Cape.
A tidal surge of up to 1m was recorded at Christchurch.
Residents were evacuated this morning in Gisborne and the Hawke's Bay, but had been allowed to return home later in the day.
Navy and vessels in ports around the country were sent out to sea but returned this afternoon.
Meanwhile, Civil Defence Minister John Carter was pleased with how the tsunami alert system worked after it was heavily criticised for communicating the threat in the wake of the Samoan earthquake and tsunami last year.
"Civil defence structures in the regions, along with the police, the fire service and the coastguard, and other authorities, all responded particularly well," he said.
"I guess the most pleasing aspect is that the memorandum of understanding with the media worked spectacularly."
Police across the country have been helping with evacuations and advising people away from beaches.
In Nelson Senior Sergeant Stu Koefoed said 15-20 officers were deployed at key points around the region advising people away from beaches and resources were stretched.
In general people cooperated, he said.
"However, I was really disappointed with some boaties who chose to ignore the warnings and launch their boats in the face of an escalating threat."
Prime Minister John Key today said the Government would provided assistance to earthquake-shattered Chile if requested.
"I am shocked by the devastation in Chile and would like to convey my sincere condolences."
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) and the New Zealand Embassy in Santiago were working to account for New Zealanders in Chile.
MFAT said that as of 4pm this afternoon it had confirmed 80 of 200 New Zealanders thought to be in Chile were safe.
"This work is being hampered by the break-down in telecommunications as a result of the earthquake," Mr Key said.
"So far there are no reports of any New Zealand casualties and all embassy staff have been confirmed as safe."
MFAT advised against all tourist and nonessential travel to Chile until the situation became clearer.
* Family or friends concerned about New Zealanders in Chile should call MFAT on 0800 432 111, or +64 4 439 8401 if they are calling from overseas.
