A tsunami warning was in effect for New Zealand on Saturday evening following a massive earthquake in South America, New Zealand's Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management (MCDEM) announced.

The tsunami warning will remain in effect until a cancellation message is issued by MCDEM.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) has issued a Tsunami Information Bulletin for New Zealand in response to the Chilean earthquake.

If a tsunami has been generated, the first wave may arrive in New Zealand in the areas around Chatham Island (Waitangi Side) at approximately 07:05 a.m. New Zealand local time Sunday. The first wave may arrive later and may not be the largest.

Waves may continue for several hours.

The MCDEM said in a statement that current assessment is for a non destructive tsunami for New Zealand, wave heights at the shore of between 0.2 and 1 meter.

Scientific advisors confirm a possible marine threat along the east coast of the North Island, South Island and Chatham Islands, possibly over 1 meter.