The EQC has paid out over $145m to residents affected by the Canterbury quake two months ago, but only a small proportion of the claims have been assessed.

A group of surfers - including a Kiwi - have arrived in the Indonesian city of Padang with a harrowing tale of survival in the tsunami.

A Kiwi was forced to jump into the sea when a 3m tsunami tore two boats from their anchorages at an Indonesian surf break.

Nine Australians feared missing after the Indonesian tsunami are safe and well.

Around 50 New Zealand surfers could have been in the Indonesian area where a small tsunami caused by a 7.7 earthquake hit early this morning.

Surfers on a charter boat jumped into the water when a three-metre high wave forced another boat into their craft, causing an explosion.