People have been urged to evacuate after a strong earthquake hit New Zealand's lower South Island.
The magnitude 6.3 quake struck 40km north of Te Anau on Thursday night at a depth of 53km, according to national monitoring system GeoNet.
The National Emergency Management Agency issued a tsunami alert for coastal areas and told people living near on the South Island's west coast from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point to leave immediately because land inundation was likely.
More than 18,000 people across the country reported feeling the quake, GeoNet said.
Te Anau is the gateway to the tourist hotspot of Fiordland.
Australian Associated Press
