Letter from the Mission President, Missionaries are safe and well.

Aloha friends and family,

There was a 7.1 earthquake reported this morning in New Zealand, near Gisborne.  (Elder Mortensen serves in a ward in the Gisborne Stake.)

Here's what the news is reporting.  Below is the letter from Elder Mortensen's Mission President.

*Note from Mom:  

We're looking forward to Elder Mortensen's next email home to hear his experience with the earthquake.  Mahalo for your prayers and support of our Missionary.

Civil defence authorities asked people in the Tolaga Bay area to leave their homes after a 7.1 quake struck 169km (105 miles) north-east of Gisborne.

People in some coastal areas were told to go to higher ground.

The quake caused a tsunami but it has had no noticeable impact.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii tweeted that only a 21cm (8in) wave had been measured.

The quake occurred at 04:37 local time (16:37 GMT) at a depth of 19km (12 miles),US monitors say.

Residents across North Island said they felt shaking and rattling as the quake struck but there were no immediate reports of serious damage.

Dear Parents and Family,

You may have heard news reports of a 7.1 magnitude earthquake that struck 100 kilometres off the northeast coast of New Zealand with possible tsunami like activity and aftershocks.

I want to assure you that all of the missionaries in the New Zealand Hamilton Mission in the affected areas have been spoken to and are safe and well and in no immediate threat of danger.

We will continue to monitor the situation with the appropriate Civil Defence authorities and take any further action that may be necessary.

We have a great love for all of our missionaries and are thankful for their dedicated service.  Thank you for your love and support.

Yours sincerely,

President Jeffrey D. Cummings, New Zealand Hamilton Mission President