New Zealand says no tsunami threat after 7.4-magnitude quake

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand after a strong 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Kermadec Islands region in the Pacific Ocean.

New Zealand's Civil Defence confirmed it after initially saying "strong and hazardous currents and unpredictable surges are expected near the shore".

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre also warned about small tsunami waves for parts of the South Pacific but later issued an all-clear. 

"Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will affect New Zealand," it said.