New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management issued a beach warning, telling locals to expect unusually strong, hazardous currents and unpredictable surges near the shore.
The quake struck at about 9am (AEST) near the Kermadec Islands region - about midway between Auckland and Tonga.
Preliminary investigations suggest New Zealand may avoid the tsunami, but Kiwi's are urged to take care near the foreshore.
The severity of currents and surges in tide may be unpredictable in the coming hours.
If a tsunami does hit New Zealand, it is not predicted to arrive for at least another two hours.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii issued a statement warning a tsunami threat exists more urgently for parts of the Pacific located closer to where the earthquake took place.
Based on preliminary investigations, coastlines within a 300km radius of the epicenter could be threatened.
Concerned locals have been encouraged to keep updated by checking in with the website www.civildefence.govt.nz and Twitter @NZCivilDefence.
There is no current threat to Australia.
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