John Price: Civil Defence Director defends use of emergency alert system - Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

The cautionary handling of the effects of Russia's earthquake, which triggered tsunami phone alerts and some coastal evacuation, has been further explained.

The 8.8 magnitude quake shunted tsunami waves across the Pacific - the largest to hit our shores, landing on the Chatham Islands at 51 centimetres. 

Unpredictable currents are expected to continue until tomorrow. 

Civil Defence Director John Price says precautions are important - and he's defending the use of emergency alerts.

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