The tsunami warning issued after a strong earthquake near Te Anau has been downgraded to an advisory, after authorities revised the quake's magnitude from 6.3 to 5.9.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) says coastal inundation is not expected, but dangerous currents and unpredictable surges remain possible near the shore.
The advisory applies to the West Coast of the South Island from Milford Sound to Puysegur Point.
The warning follows an earthquake centred 40km north of Te Anau, which struck at 9.14pm on Thursday at a depth of 53km.
More than 13,000 people had reported feeling the quake within minutes of it occurring, while its magnitude and location remained preliminary.
People from across the South Island, including Otago, Southland and Canterbury, reported feeling the shaking.
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Emergency Management Southland said there was no tsunami threat.
"If you felt it and thought 'wow, that's a long, strong earthquake, I'll get gone' - then you've done the right thing! There may be strong and unusual currents over the next few days particularly around Milford and coastal areas."
Queenstown Lakes District Council said the Edith Cavell Bridge would be closed for inspection by engineers at first light as a precaution following the earthquake, with an update likely by 8.30am on Friday.
The council also warned motorists travelling over the Crown Range to take care and watch for possible rocks or debris on the road.
Several smaller earthquakes have been recorded in the region following the magnitude 6.3 event.
'Whole house shook'
In Wānaka, one Facebook user said the quake felt "very strong", with another in Alexandra reported hearing a "very loud rumble" followed by "decent shaking".
A Cromwell resident said their house was "moving for quite a while" and reported feeling aftershocks.
Further south in Riversdale, Southland, one resident said the shaking lasted "around 20 to 30 seconds".
In Portobello, Dunedin, one user described the quake as "very intense", while another in the city's suburb of St Kilda said their "sofa was swinging back and forth sideways".
Elsewhere in Dunedin, a resident in Brockville said their "whole house shook", while another in Tainui described the quake as "big".
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