GNS Science says the earthquake in Chile triggered multiple small tsunamis around New Zealand.
An 8.2 magnitude quake struck yesterday off the coast of northern Chile, killing six people and triggering a tsunami that pounded northern Chile with two-metre waves.
GNS duty seismologist Lara Bland says the tsunami travelled across the Pacific and reached New Zealand shores in the early hours of Thursday.
Almost all of the 15 gauges around New Zealand, including those on the Kermadec archipelago and Chatham Islands, recorded disturbed sea currents or waves.
The largest surge in the Chathams measured about half a metre while on the mainland the waves reached about 20 centimetres.
Gisborne District Council emergency manager Richard Steele says a small negative surge - which takes water away from the shore - was recorded at about 1am.