The Kermadec Islands off the coast New Zealand have been rocked by a huge 7.4 magnitude earthquake.
Early reports say the quake hit at 11.54pm British time with a Tsunami warning in place for coasts 300 kilometres from the islands.
The Kermadecs are located 800 kilometres off the north coast of New Zealand.
The quake was centred around 150 kilometres from L'Esperance rock, halfway between New Zealand and Tongo.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said: “Based on the preliminary earthquake parameters, hazardous tsunami waves are possible for coasts located within 300 kilometers of the earthquake epicenter."
There is no indication of a tsunami threat to other countries however Fiji, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands, could experience minor sea-level fluctuations.
The centre added; “We are assessing whether the M7.4 KERMADEC ISLANDS REGION earthquake poses any tsunami threat to New Zealand,” New Zealand Civil Defense said.
“If a tsunami has been generated it is not likely to arrive in New Zealand for at least two hours.”
They later said: "There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the M7.0 Kermadec Islands region earthquake.
"Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to NZ."
Earlier they said: "We have issued a BEACH and MARINE TSUNAMI WARNING following the M7.4 Kermadec Islands region earthquake."
The Kermadecs are part of the so-called Pacific 'Ring of Fire'.
