Many people are reporting not getting an alert text message following this morning's 7.1 earthquake and tsunami warning.

A 7.1 magnitude earthquake struck 130km north-east of Te Araroa at depth of 55km at 4.37am.

A tsunami warning was triggered this morning following a 7.1 magnitude earthquake off the East Cape.

The earthquake triggered a tsunami warning for areas in the North Island including the Bay of Plenty, Coromandel and East Cape.

The Minister of Civil Defence Emergency Management confirmed waves of 30cm hit the East Cape around 7am.

The tsunami warning was first issued at 6am and was later cancelled just before 8.30am.

Since then, SunLive has received numerous reports from people saying they did not get their emergency alert text message until 90 minutes after the warning was issued. Other people say they never got one at all.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence group controller Clinton Naude.

People who have experienced this problem are being asked to email info@boprc.govt.nz

'It's great that people have subscribed to the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence emergency alerts and we encourage those that haven't to do so at http://www.bopcivildefence.govt.nz/,” says Bay of Plenty Civil Defence group controller Clinton Naude.

'It's particularly important that people keep their contact details updated – especially if they have changed service provider, or any of their handset settings, since joining.

'If people believe they have subscribed to these alerts, and their details have not changed, and they did not receive messages this morning that they email their details and this information through to info@boprc.govt.nz. This will enable us to check within the system at our end.”

According to Stuff, The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management's request for the broadcasting of a tsunami warning was not sent out until 80 minutes after the quake. By then the main tsunami wave - measuring 30cm - had already hit sections of the east coast.

MCDEM sent out its first national advisory at 5.10am but that was only about the earthquake.

"After any major event we look at potential lessons learned, and this will happen following today's event," says Civil Defence Minister Nikki Kaye.

Nikki says MCDEM is already scrutinising the current processes for national warnings and public alerts, including their timing.

"Any potential changes to current processes will be considered as part of this project."