Mahurangi residents flee to higher ground A tidal surge near the harbour walk in Leigh. Photo, Guy Parkes. Pakiri Beach looked extra choppy to residents taking refuge in the hills. Parking bays on Matakana Valley Road were filled with cars. Residents can check if they live in a tsunami risk zone any time using the Hazard Viewer tool at www.aucklandemergencymanagement.org.nz. Residents of low-lying coastal areas, including Omaha, Whangateau and Point Wells, headed for the hills, following news that an 8.1 magnitude earthquake had struck offshore from the Kermadec Islands on Friday, March 5. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) issued an alert to east coast residents of the Auckland region warning of unpredictable tidal surges and asked them to stay off the water.