Wellington, Jan 15 (TIWN) New Zealands National Emergency Management Agency on Saturday issued a tsunami warning following a volcanic eruption in Tonga's Hunga Ha'apai island.

New Zealand's coastal areas on the north and east coast of the North Island and the Chatham Islands are expected to experience "strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore", it said in a statement.

This is the largest eruption from the Tonga volcano so far, and the eruption is ongoing, Xinhua news agency quoted the statement as saying.

"Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, small boats and anyone in or near the water close to shore," it added.

People in or near the sea are advised to move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, rivers and estuaries until at least early Sunday morning.

On Saturday afternoon, Tonga issued another tsunami warning after massive waves have hit the main island of Tongatapu, including capital city Nuku'alofa.