It is hoped better emergency plans will be put in place at Ocean Beach following last night's earthquake.
Residents of the coastal town were among those across the country who rushed to higher ground after a tsunami warning was issued.
All those at the coastal town fled their seaside properties last night, either driving up the main road to the hilltop, or driving back into Hastings.
Phil Kitchen slept through the quake but was woken around 2.30am by a neighbour. He and three other carloads of residents waited until the tsunami warning was downgraded before returning to their properties.
Civil defence ad fire brigade co-ordinator Dawn Bennett said the quake "was one of the biggest I had ever felt here".