Central North Island volcanic alert issued
An Aviation Colour Code Red is also in place for the area around Mt Tongariro and Aviation Colour Code Orange around White Island.
GNS Science reports that an eruption on Mount Tongariro just before midnight last night (Monday 6 August) had sent red hot rocks and ash from the mountain's Te Mari crater.
A potential threat warning was issued for central North Island regions following the eruption at 11.50 pm last night.
Civil Defence said volcanic activity could pose a threat to Waikato, Hawkes Bay, Gisborne, Manawatu-Whanganui, Bay of Plenty and Taranaki.
There had been no reports of injuries or damage from the eruption.
Meanwhile a small eruption was recorded on White Island on Sunday morning (0455h) from the island's Crater Lake. During the past week there had been an increase in volcanic tremor and volcanic gas levels and the Volcanic Alert Level has now been raised to Level 2 (Aviation Colour Code to Orange).