Six locations around the country saw peak wave heights of more than a metre generated by last week's devastating earthquake near Chile.

NZ diplomatic staff have made contact with about 250 Kiwis in Chile after the country was rocked by an 8.8 earthquake on Saturday.

A seemingly calm and still Avon-Heathcote Estuary, in Christchurch, is turned into a churning mess by one of Sunday's tsunami.

Lifeguards say they do not want the power to arrest people who ignore beach closures, despite calls for them to be given enforcement powers.

New Zealanders with relatives in Chile faced an anxious wait for news of their loved ones after the huge earthquake disrupted communications.

New Zealand's tsunami alert has been cancelled but people in coastal areas of the country are still advised to take caution.

Hundreds of New Zealanders who raced to beaches to watch a potentially catastrophic tsunami were 'stupid', says Civil Defence Minister John Carter.

New Zealanders weren't going to allow a 'peewee' tsunami alert to ruin the last official day of summer yesterday and many ignored warnings.

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.

Of the 200 New Zealanders known to be in Chile, 80 have so far confirmed they are safe.

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.

Crowds are gathering at beaches to watch the tsunami threatening New Zealand, says the coastguard.

Wave activity "appears to be stabilised" at previously-reported levels, Civil Defence Emergency Management says.