The Port of Auckland was closed today and five ships were ordered to move into deep water until the threat of a tsunami passed.
One of ships, the passenger liner Dawn Princess, arrived early today and many of its passengers had gone ashore when the port was closed because of the tsunami warning.
The ship moved into deeper water from the passenger wharf but would go back to collect its passengers for its next stop in Tauranga, said Auckland harbour master John Lee-Richards.
He said the port remained open and business was "carrying on business as usual with precaution" before the decision was made to close the port about 9am.
"Because of the increased risk because of wave height, observed and prediction we have decided the best step is to shut the port and take everything out into deeper water," he told NZPA.
Mr Lee-Richards said about five ships were involved.
"During the night we put everybody on standby and put extra lines out and stopped ships coming in." He said after a half-metre wave hit the Chatham Islands about 9am the decision was made to move all ships out of the port and stop ships coming in.
He said the decision was not expected to cause a big problem for shipping companies.
Ferries would continue to run in the Hauraki Gulf and harbour until something was imminent, he said.
The Coastguard warned boaties to keep clear of shipping channels while the ships were being moved.
In Hawke's Bay the Port of Napier closed and ships there were moved out into deeper water in the bay.
