A mandatory evacuation order has been issued for waterfront properties on the Wellington south coast, ahead of huge forecast swells. A state of emergency has been declared in two areas.

At least 15 people are feared dead in the southern Philippines after a powerful magnitude 7.8 quake struck off the island of Mindanao.

An appeal has been made for help to locate an 81-year-old Christchurch woman who has been missing for several days.