UPDATED – 3.30pm: Initial tsunami waves recorded by DART Buoys in the Pacific suggest wave heights between 0.2m - 1m may hit the Coromandel coastline later tonight.

The Thames-Coromandel District Council adds that there is no immediate threat to the region and it is likely that wave heights will be toward the lower end of the 0.2m - 1m band.

Any effects following today's 8.3 earthquake off the Chilean coast could possibly hit the Coromandel coastline between midnight and 2am tomorrow.

The first tsunami activity may reach New Zealand in the areas around the Chatham Islands at approximately 11:15pm.

This may be later and the first activity may not be the most significant. Tsunami activity will continue for several hours and the threat must be regarded as real until this warning is cancelled.

Areas under ‘Marine and Beach Threat' can expect unusually strong currents and unpredictable water flows near the shore.

'This means a threat to beach, harbour, estuary and small boat activities,” says council. 'The severity of currents and changing water flows will vary within a particular coastal area and over the period this warning is in effect.

'Current assessments indicate that coastal inundation, or flooding of land areas near the shore, is not expected but this assessment may change.”

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has issued a tsunami warning for the Coromandel Peninsula, Chatham Islands, Gisborne, Napier/Hastings, Christchurch North, Banks Peninsula and Mid to South Canterbury.

Tsunami threat levels for New Zealand's coastline. Photo: Supplied.

EARLIER:

Any tsunami effects following the 8.3 earthquake off the Chilean coast could possibly hit the Coromandel coastline between roughly midnight tonight and 2am tomorrow.

Waikato Regional Council's hazards team and Waikato Civil Defence are keeping a close eye on the situation and are advising locals that any effects could potentially be on a mid-level to falling tide.

The team believes any effects would mostly occur at sea and off the coast, with inundation from waves or surges limited to very low-lying areas and likely to be similar to a king tide or storm surge at worst.

'But strong inner harbour currents and unusual tide movements could eventuate,” says the regional council. 'Effects may still occur during high tide around 10am on Friday.

'Boaties should check their moorings during daylight hours today given the possibility of strong and abnormal tides associated with the tsunami.”

Based on the tsunami warnings sent out today, several schools in the Coromandel have sent their student homes.

This includes Mercury Bay Area School in Whitianga, which evacuated about 900 students to the nearby Moewai sports grounds.

It is believed the school based its decision to evacuate on information from the national warning system which stated the tsunami threat in UTC time, not NZ time.

Whether this is the case or not, many parents have taken to Facebook this afternoon and applauded MBAS principal John Wright's decision to evacuate students:

'Big ups to Mr Wright for not mucking around. 900 kids lives in his hands. Well Done MBAS,” posted one commenter on a local Whitianga Facebook page.

While another commenter wrote: 'They did an awesome job to get all the kids out safe and in good time too. Big ups to the school, next time I won't worry so much knowing they're in good hands!!!!”

The regional council and civil defence will update their as required and by no later than 5pm tonight.

Waikato Civil Defence says there is no other specific action required now but in the hours leading up to the expected arrival time people should:

• Stay out of the water (sea, rivers and estuaries, including boating activities)
• Stay off beaches and shore areas
• Do not go sightseeing
• Share this information with family, neighbours and friends
• Listen to the radio and/or TV for updates
• Follow instructions of local civil defence authoritiesCivil Defence is monitoring the situation and will update their Facebook page with any new developments and issue further information via other outlets as required.

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management has issued a tsunami warning for the Chatham Islands, Coromandel Peninsula, Gisborne, Napier/Hastings, Christchurch North, Banks Peninsula and Mid to South Canterbury.

More information can be found via the Waikato Regional Council and Waikato Civil Defence Facebookpages.

Advice is also available via the Thames Coromandel District Council's Facebook page and website: www.tcdc.govt.nz