Eight people are now believed to have died following the magnitude
8 earthquake in the Solomon Islands which triggered a tsunami.

According to reports from the NDMO, Temotu Provincial Officials and World Vision staff on the ground in Lata, eight people have been confirmed dead and up to 700 households damaged or destroyed.

A tsunami warning was in place for most of New Zealand including the Bay of Plenty yesterday afternoon following the quake that struck 340 km east of Kira Kira at 2.12pm.

Venga Village destoryed by the tsunami. Photo: World Vision.

An 8 magnitude earthquake struck 340km from the Solomon Islands.

The quake-generated wave of just under one metre reached parts of the Solomons, and Vanuatu and New Caledonia also reported rising sea levels, before a region-wide tsunami alert was lifted.

Solomons officials reported two 1.5-metre waves hit the western side of Santa Cruz Island, damaging between 70 and 80 homes and properties.

A 40cm tsunami was reported hitting Hachijo Island, around 290km south of Tokyo.

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management in New Zealand warned people to stay away from beaches and estuaries while the warning was in place yesterday.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre cancelled its regional alert for Pacific-island nations around two and a half hours after the earthquake struck near the Santa Cruz Islands in the Solomons.

World Vision reports there is currently no power and running water at the moment in Lata.

"Access to clean water and sanitation will be critical in the coming days," says Jeremiah Tabua, Humanitarian emergency affairs coordinator.

"The tsunami destroyed clean water sources, have ruined food gardens and destroyed houses.

"There are also some fears of another tsunami due to the ongoing aftershocks of the earthquakes."

Earlier:

In Tauranga no tsunami or unusual tide surges were registered.

Gauges at the Port of Tauranga are today showing no record of any tidal surges or changes outside of normal predictions, says port operations manager Phil Julian.

Beaches around the Bay of Plenty were packed with swimmers keen to make the most of Waitangi Day holiday.

The Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group advised coastal users to be alert for strong currents and tidal surges near river mouths.

Despite warnings to stay away from the water and off the beaches and shore areas people flocked to the beaches to watch the surf.

At 9.30pm the BOP Civil Defence cancelled its warning but advised people to be aware of strong currents in the early hours of this morning.