Sightseers and swimmers refuse to leave the beach

BY TOM HUNT

People who flocked to the beach to try to catch a glimpse of an incoming tsunami could have been the "makers of their own demise", police say.

Yesterday's tsunami warning for New Zealand has been cancelled this morning by the Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.

Police central communications shift manager Marty Parker said the public's response to yesterday's warning was largely good and most people were prepared.

However, police had to tell a few people to get out of the water, including some who were already aware of the tsunami alert but decided to take a dip anyway.

"They are the makers of their own demise if anything does go wrong," Mr Parker said.

Civil Defence Minister John Carter agreed the public's response was largely good, but criticised those who went to the coast for a better view.

"Unfortunately, we always get the odd person who doesn't appreciate the risk," he said.

"If you go down to the water, it might be the last thing you ever see."

Mr Carter said there were reports of people getting caught in the powerful water surges that made up a tsunami.

"New Zealanders who didn't heed the national tsunami warning issued in the wake of the Chilean earthquake need to realise this was a serious event.

"There was definitely potential for loss of life in our waters and it is a credit to the team who managed this event that that didn't happen."

Mr Carter said most people heeded the warnings and he was proud of the way Civil Defence, local Civil Defence Emergency Management groups, police, fire, coastguard and volunteers worked together to manage the situation.

"Mostly, they were able to warn people and keep them off the beaches and out of the water," he said.

"The media also played a crucial role in keeping people up to date and informed as the situation unfolded."

Mr Carter said the distance from the earthquake meant there was plenty of time to prepare.

"However, if an earthquake of this magnitude strikes 20 kilometres away from one of New Zealand's major cities, there will be no warning time," he said.

"We have some of the best civil defence emergency planning in the world, but in this event there would be a period of time when households and communities might be isolated and without essential services."

Mr Carter said the reality was that New Zealanders were vulnerable to unpredictable natural disasters such as earthquakes and tsunamis.

"We are also geographically isolated from our nearest neighbours on whom we might call for help, so any international emergency response might take days," he said.

"Every household should have an emergency plan that includes knowing what to do during and immediately after a significant earthquake."

BEACHGOERS REMAIN

Kenny Anderson was swimming at Lyall Bay about 10am and, despite having heard tsunami warnings, believed he was not in any immediate danger.

He was keeping an "eye on the sea" and had his car nearby in case the water started to recede.

Two Dogs coffee caravan owner Mike Duffy continued trading through the morning, but had been warned of the danger by police, Civil Defence and a helicopter flying overhead with a loudspeaker.

The beach was largely empty but those there were not concerned. "It's just a joke more than anything," he said.

Lyall Bay resident Jeremy Morrison, 32, was well set up to film the arriving tsunami. He erected his camera on a tripod in the children's play area on the beachfront at the bottom of Onepu Rd.

He said he intended heading for the hills if the water went out.

"I'm not going anywhere near the water," he said, despite being less than 100 metres from the water's edge.

Chris Mark, from the Maranui Surf Lifesaving Club, spent the morning calling parents to cancel the day's "little nipper" lifesaving programme.

He was at the beach telling those who did turn up to go home.

The tsunami warning also had little effect on Auckland's North Shore, with many people heading to the beach and to sea in their boats.

Two women having coffee on Milford Beach said they had a good vantage point and another woman about to head out on a walk to Takapuna Beach said she had her flippers.

Coastguard Northern Region duty officer John Cowan said the warnings should have been heeded.

At Whitianga a resident told said that a warning siren had gone off, but residents did not know what it was, so stayed put.

In Nelson Senior Sergeant Stu Koefoed said 15-20 officers were deployed at key points around the region advising people away from beaches and resources were stretched.

"I was really disappointed with some boaties who chose to ignore the warnings and launch their boats in the face of an escalating threat.

"This was foolhardy behaviour because it not only put them at risk but also could have further stretched emergency services if they had got into trouble."

TSUNAMI ALERT CANCELLED

New Zealand's tsunami alert was cancelled this morning, but people in coastal areas were warned to be wary of sudden sea fluctuations.

The National Crisis Management Centre (NCMC) was stood down at 9am after a decision was made to cancel the alert which was in place overnight after the earthquake.

"Sea level data indicate the peak of activity has passed. There will be ongoing sea level fluctuations and tidal effects for the rest of the day throughout the country," the centre said in its latest advisory.

"People are advised to continue to take caution in coastal areas."

The NCMC's advisory was quickly followed by advisories from local authorities the length of New Zealand cancelling their own emergency responses.

Mr Carter said he was pleased with how the tsunami alert system worked after it was heavily criticised for the way it communicated the tsunami threat in the wake of the Samoan earthquake in September last year, which killed more than 180 people in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

"It's a huge step up from where we've been," he said.

Emergency Management director John Hamilton said there was a risk of the public becoming complacent as waves in the last two tsunami warnings were not sizeable.

"I make no apologies for producing warnings, even although they may not eventuate to the worst degree that we could anticipate."

SURF CLUBS PRAISED

Bay of Plenty police have praised local surf lifesaving clubs for their assistance during yesterday's tsunami alert.

Acting Western Bay police commander Inspector Karl Wright St Clair today said the clubs, Mt Maunganui, Omanu and Papamoa, helped police keep people off the beach and out of the water.

"All three local surf clubs were quick to offer their assistance to police," he said.

"They were very well organised and worked efficiently to pass the message on to beachgoers and participant and supporters attending the under 14 National Surf Life saving event being held on the main beach."

That event was cancelled because of the tsunami threat.

The annual carnival had nearly 800 juniors from all over New Zealand attending.

Mr Wright St Clair said it must have been a disappointing decision for organisers and Surf Life Saving NZ to cancel the final day of the event.

He was impressed with the professional manner in which they had handled such a difficult situation.

Mr Wright St Clair also praised the public and boating fraternity for their understanding and cooperation in what was a potentially dangerous situation.

"The public appreciated that the risk was very real and made sensible decisions," he said.

- with NZPA

- © Fairfax NZ News