Highlights from update 18

The arrival of waves has been measured by tidal gauges at the New Zealand coast. At Raoul Island the first arrival was recorded at 0635 hours today and at North Cape at 0710 hours. Initial wave amplitudes were in the order of 15cm but with measurements of amplitudes of up to 60cm over the last six hours. There have been reports of some locations (such as harbours and bays) experiencing tidal surges and greater wave amplitudes (of up to 1 metre). Modelling indicated that the highest wave amplitudes were expected to occur until around 1300 hours today. There are suggestions that the amplitude of the waves is beginning to decrease in accordance with the forecast provided by the modelling for this event.