Major 8.1 quake a rare and 'very notable event' - scientist 4 Mar, 2021 07:55 PM 9 minutes to read Wave surges are hitting parts of the New Zealand coast as thousands of evacuated residents are being told to stay on higher ground following a massive 8.1 magnitude earthquake in the Kermadec Islands. Additional video / Waiapu Civil Defence Wave surges are hitting parts of the New Zealand coast as thousands of evacuated residents are being told to stay on higher ground following a massive 8.1 magnitude earthquake in the Kermadec Islands. Additional video / Waiapu Civil Defence New Zealand woke up this morning to a swarm of earthquakes, including an 8.1 quake in the Kermadec region, which has wrapped the country in tsunami warnings, both on the east and the west coast. Follow our live coverage.