O Lord, smite those that post morning bowel movements or what yr dog 8 for breakfast on worldwide social media.

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.

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.

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.