New Zealand is rocked by a FOURTH earthquake – this time magnitude 6.5 on the Richter scale – but the worst is over as tsunami waves begin to recede

• 7.2 magnitude earthquake rocked the Te Araroa on North Island of New Zealand 
• Hours later a 7.4 magnitude earthquake was recorded near Kermadec Islands 
• Then an 8.1 magnitude earthquake struck area before a 6.5 magnitude tremor
• Terrified locals watched on as wall of water rolled into coastline at Tokomaru Bay

By AIDAN WONDRACZ FOR DAILY MAIL AUSTRALIA

 

A fourth earthquake has rocked the North Island of New Zealand but the tsunami threat has eased.

Authorities say the biggest waves have now passed after terrified residents earlier fled their homes for higher ground to escape surging seawater.

Panicked locals watched from the safety of higher ground as a wall of water rolled into the coast at Tokomaru Bay on Friday morning.

Authorities had earlier issued a tsunami warning and told residents to evacuate their homes after three other earthquakes were recorded off the coast.

A 7.3-magnitude quake was recorded at 2.27am east of the North Island, before another 7.4-magnitude tremor was recorded near the Kermadec Islands four hours later.

An 8.1 magnitude earthquake was then recorded at 8.28am before a fourth aftershock at 6.5 in magnitude was recorded at 12.12pm local time.

The tsunami threat was downgraded about 2pm and those who had evacuated were told they could return to their homes.

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