Press Release – New Zealand Labour Party

Labour leader Phil Goff is offering his condolences to the families of the victims of the earthquake and tsunami which devastated Samoa today. “We are deeply concerned by the reports of loss of life and significant damage to some villages. New Zealand …
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Press Release – Christchurch City Council

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management has downgraded the tsunami warning issued this morning following a large earthquake off the coast of Samoa this morning, but people are still being advised to stay away from coastal areas, river …
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Press Release – Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management (MCDEM) issued a Tsunami Warning following the Samoa earthquake at 0648 this morning. This was subsequently downgraded to a Potential Threat Advisory. The Potential Threat Advisory remains in place. MCDEM …
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Press Release – Manukau City Council

Manukau Mayor Len Brown says the thoughts of the people of Manukau are with the families and the people of the nations affected by this morning’s earthquake and tsunami in the Pacific. “It appears there have been fatalities and injuries caused by the …
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Press Release – Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management (MCDEM) issued a Tsunami Warning following the Samoa earthquake at 0648 this morning. This was subsequently downgraded to a Potential Threat Advisory. The Potential Threat Advisory remains in place. MCDEM …
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Press Release – Environment Canterbury

Due to the recent 8.3 magnitude earthquake in Samoa, the Canterbury Emergency Management Group is monitoring the current tsunami situation closely. The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management is still monitoring the situation and a tsunami …
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Boats put to sea from Avatiu harbour in the Cook Islands after the tsunami warning today. The warning was later cancelled. Photo: CINews

Pacific.Scoop
By Josephine Latu of Pacific Media Watch

Includes updated video at bottom of this report.

A huge tsunami struck American Samoa and Samoa early day, causing many deaths in both Pacific island groups.

Initial reports from Sky News put the death toll in American Samoa at 14, while upgraded reports estimate the death toll in Western Samoa at over 100.
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Press Release – New Zealand Government

Civil Defence Minister John Carter has congratulated regional civil defence operations and coastal communities for their organisation and response to the tsunami warning issued for New Zealand this morning. An earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale …
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Press Release – Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management issued a Tsunami Warning following the Samoa earthquake at 0648 this morning. This was subsequently downgraded to a Potential Threat Advisory. The Potential Threat Advisory remains in place. Tide gauges …
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Press Release – Northland Regional Council

A barely detectable tsunami wave has been recorded in Northland after today’s large earthquake off Samoa but appears to have had little or no local impact. Civil Defence officials have now downgraded a national tsunami warning for New Zealand issued in …
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