"We don't have any indications at the moment to believe it will rise, but we can't rule that out," Key told reporters in Wellington, adding that details of the casualties were still being confirmed.
Tsunami hits New Zealand after series of strong quakes
Key said a military helicopter was being dispatched to the coastal tourist town of Kaikoura, near the epicentre of the 7.8 magnitude quake, some 91 km (57 miles) north-northeast of Christchurch in the South Island.
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