Damage claims lodged after Hutt quake

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake centred near Upper Hutt yesterday had sparked at least 88 damage claims to the Earthquake Commission by late last night.

Claims were still being received today, a commission spokesman told NZPA.

The Earthquake Commission is a government agency providing natural disaster insurance to residential property owners.

Most claims yesterday were for minor damage to contents and internal walls.

The quake rocked greater Wellington at 7.56am yesterday and was the largest in the region for nine years, the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) said.

It was centred within 5km of Upper Hutt at a depth of 30km, and was quickly followed by a second smaller quake measuring 3.7.

A third small aftershock earthquake measuring 3.6, also centred within 5km of Upper Hutt, was recorded at 8.27pm, GNS said.

The earthquakes followed a flurry of seismic activity in the lower North Island on Tuesday, when 10 earthquakes were recorded over a 10-hour period.

Civil Defence spokesman Shawn Hollister said yesterday's jolts were a good wake-up call for people to ensure they had an emergency survival kit including canned or dried food, water (nine litres per person, enough for three days), medical supplies, blankets, a radio, lighting and spare batteries.

Tomorrow is the 150th anniversary of New Zealand's biggest quake which hit Wairarapa and measured 8.2.

- NZPA