WELLINGTON, New Zealand >> A tsunami that crossed the Pacific Ocean hit islands in French Polynesia early Sunday, with waves of about 6 feet damaging part of the coast.

Nations around the Asia-Pacific region evacuated coastal areas and warned residents as the tsunami generated by a devastating Chile earthquake approached their shores.

Waves hitting the Chatham Islands east of New Zealand were progressively larger, and officials warned residents to be vigilant. New Zealand Civil Defense Minister John Carter said the latest sea surge at the Chatham Islands was five feet, the fourth and biggest surge measured there in the past two hours.

The islands are some 312 miles east of New Zealand.

“;As the scientists have predicted, the waves are increasing in amplitude ... and it's likely they will grow more,”; Civil Defense national controller Allan Walker said.

National Radio in New Zealand reported four waves of about 6 feet (two meters) hit the Marquesas Islands of French Polynesia early Sunday, causing damage to coastal areas and to boats. The first wave passed Tahiti with no effects.

Asia-Pacific nations evacuated coasts ahead of the tsunami generated by a devastating earthquake in Chile.

In Samoa, where 183 people died in a tsunami in September, police said most people were moved out of low-lying areas. A degree of panic was evident as people were leaving the coastal areas where the earlier tsunami hit. Broadcasts and text messages alerted people in the early morning.

“;The evacuation is going pretty well, with most people in higher ground already,”; on the main island of Upolu, police spokesman Tavita Moeono said.

Emergency officials said 10 feet (three meters) waves could hit part of New Zealand's South Island, but the east coast of both of New Zealand's main islands was warned to expect waves up to three feet over the next few hours.

In Fiji, people in coastal towns and villages have been evacuated. Police and emergency services are on alert for waves of between 1.9 and 7.5 feet on the northern and eastern islands of the archipelago about 9:20 a.m. local time Sunday.

Disaster management office duty officer Anthony Blake said coastal evacuations had taken place on Vanua Levu, Fiji's second biggest island, and in the Lau and Lomaiviti island groups.

About a third of Fiji's 800,000 people live in those areas, Blake said.

In Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology issued a tsunami warning from Queensland state in the nation's north to Tasmania in the south, warning of the possibility of “;dangerous waves, strong ocean currents and foreshore flooding.”;

“;Do not go to the coast to watch the tsunami,”; the Bureau of Meteorology's alert said. “;Check that your neighbors have received this advice. Boats in close should return quickly if possible. Boats in deep water should stay offshore until further advised.”;

No evacuations were ordered.

Cook Islands police issued an all-clear mid-morning Sunday after the tsunami caused a minor tidal surge of a few centimeters.