Wellington, Feb 28 NZPA - A mass nude photo shoot planned for Wellington's Breaker Bay beach this morning was cancelled as a result of the tsunami warning in effect.

Wellington City Council emergency management staff contacted the organiser of the event, scheduled for 8am today, and it was agreed the event be postponed.

A tsunami warning is in effect for New Zealand following an 8.8 magnitude earthquake on the Pacific coast of Chile about 7.30pm (New Zealand time) yesterday. The first wave is expected to arrive in the Wellington area about 8.25am today.

City Council emergency preparedness manager Fred Mecoy said the photoshoot was cancelled due to the "obvious concerns we have about safety".

More than 100 people were expected to take part in the photo shoot.

Mr Mecoy asked participants to stay clear of Breaker Bay, and warned people in coastal areas should stay off beaches and keep away from waterways.