• 7.5 quake strikes at 12.02am not far from Hanmer Springs in North Canterbury in the South Island - country still being hit, with more than 100 aftershocks so far
• At least two people have been killed amid reports of many other casualties - one victim suffered a heart attack, another was killed in a historic homestead in Kaikoura
• Wellington has also been badly hit, with damage to buildings and roads
• Tsunami warnings for entire east coast of New Zealand have been downgraded but people living on the coast are being warned to stay away from beaches
• Irregular waves of up to 2m have been reported in Kaikoura. Waves also reported in Wellington
• Schools from North Canterbury to Wellington told to remain shut until damage can be assessed
• Fire Service sending 7-strong urban search and rescue squad from Christchurch to Kaikoura
• Prime Minister John Key arrives at Civil Defence bunker under Beehive, says military helicopters being made available
• Key says communications have been difficult and full assessment of damage, casualties still being conducted
• St John receiving reports of injuries around Culverden and Kaikoura - paramedics being sent in by helicopter
• Fire Service sending 7-strong urban search and rescue squad from Christchurch to Kaikoura
• Power is out in many areas
• NZTA says roads some main highways are closed

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Read more:
• What you need to know about quake and tsunami warning and should do
• Evacuation centres
• Tsunami hits east coast, Waiau feared worst hit
• Wellington shaken awake

Continued below.

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• Follow us live all day through the blog below and listen to our live coverage on Newstalk ZB

The small North Canterbury township of Waiau is feared to be worst hit following the 7.5 magnitude earthquake in the early hours of this morning.

Power is out and phone lines are down but the potted information coming into Cheviot police and fire is that it has received widespread damage. The violent shaking ripped open the roads and badly damaged the main bridge, which as reportedly sunk by as much as 400mm.

There are reports of casualties in Kaikoura but details are yet to be confirmed. St John is sending its command unit towards Kaikoura and additional paramedics tare being flown to Hanmer Springs and Kaikoura by rescue helicopter as a precautionary measure.

Wellington has also suffered damage with windows being smashed, cracks appearing in walls of apartments and issues at the Ports. Logs can be seen strewn around the port area in and there are reports of some damage to terminals.

Shipping workers were forced to flee the Kings Wharf freight shipping terminal in Wellington, after cracks began appearing and water spurting from beneath them.

Several major highways are closed following the quakes. New Zealand Transport Agency regional performance manager Mark Owen said State HIghway 1 between Picton and Waipara, north of Christchurch, was closed.

SH7 from Waipara to Springs Junction and SH7A, the road to Hanmer Springs from SH7, were closed. The inland road from Kaikoura to Waiau was also closed, but highways in Nelson, Tasman and Wellington were all open.

There had been damage bridges and roads, with cracks reported, but more would not be known until first light.

There have been more than 100 aftershocks and a tsunami warning remains in place for many parts of the east coast where waves of up to 5m are possible.


Gallery

Photos: Severe quake shocks NZ



Many people from as far afield as Auckland to Dunedin felt the quake.

Police have stated their emergency 111 lines are again operational after initially going down as a result of the quake.


- NZ Herald