Police say a GPS device could provide vital information about what happened to missing yachtie Paul van Rensburg.

Missing yacht Tafadzwa has been spotted west of the Chatham Islands but with no sign of skipper Paul van Rensburg.

The official warning over a tsunami that threatened the entire east coast of New Zealand today has been downgraded to an advisory, but there is still a threat from ocean surges.

Tsunami warnings look to be cancelled as beach-goers who waited all day outside the water start heading home.

Civil Defence authorities have downgraded the tsunami warning for New Zealand. However, New Zealand authorities are warning that there could be surges for up to 24 hours.

Paua fishermen are diving back into the seas and surfers are out to catch waves even as tsunami warnings stay in place.

New Zealand east coastal areas aren't out of the woods yet, with Civil Defence authorities and scientists electing keep the tsunami warning in place.

The first wave has reached the Chatham Islands, after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile overnight. An official tsunami alert remains in place for New Zealand's entire east coast.

There's no mucking around when you go fishing in the Chathams.