Tsunami Evacuations Ordered on New Zealand’s South Island After 5.9 Earthquake Near Te Anau

A 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck New Zealand's South Island near Te Anau at 9:14 pm on 15 July 2026.

New Zealand's National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) downgraded the initial tsunami warning to an advisory after revising the earthquake magnitude from 6.3 to 5.9.

The New Zealand Civil Defence warned of strong currents and unpredictable surges, urging people in coastal areas to move away from beaches, harbours, rivers, and estuaries.

Boat owners were told to leave their vessels and not return unless instructed by officials; coastal flooding was not expected.

The US Geological Survey and German Research Centre for Geosciences also estimated the magnitude at 5.9, with a depth of 53 km.