Government forces including transport ship Canterbury will be mobilised to get about 1000 tourists out of earthquake hit Kaikoura.

The 111 emergency line service wasn't switched over when the Spark office, where the calls are handled, was evacuated.

An upgraded 7.5 magnitude earthquake has struck 20km south-east of Hanmer Springs.

It was one of the biggest earthquakes in NZ for years. So this gamer can perhaps be forgiven for freaking out while accidentally live-streaming the disaster.

New Zealand shares rose, led by companies that stand to benefit from earthquake repairs such as Fletcher Building and Metro Performance Glass.

A Wellington resident is "terrified" after her bedroom ceiling collapsed on her and her boyfriend during this morning's earthquake.

The Clarence River has burst its banks, with residents being told to move to high ground immediately, as aftershocks continue to rock the country.

Mark Fletcher was driving a 50-tonne truck towards Wellington when he found himself struggling to keep it in a straight line. "I

Join Tristram Clayton as he wraps up last nights devastating earthquake.

People forced out of their homes and hotels in Wellington following this morning's severe 7.5 earthquake have all found somewhere to go.

Most schools will open tomorrow, following hundreds of closures after the quake.

STL driver Dennis Dunn caused some alarm when he was feared buried but has been found safe and well between two large landslips.

What you need to know about the earthquake and tsunami and what people in the above coastal areas should do.

Today's earthquake can trigger emotional trauma for Cantabrians even though there's been little physical damage in Christchurch, a psychologist says.

COMMENT: Among the bricks and shattered glass, we feared the worst. It appeared as if a hand grenade had been tossed inside the stylish colonial cottage.

International scientists are intrigued at the complexity of the suspected twin quakes that rattled New Zealand overnight.

Power is gradually being restored in Kaikoura, but sewerage systems and water supplies are still down and it could be days before they are back up and running, Civil Defence says.

Kaikoura and other South Island towns have been essentially cut off, with the famous SH1 road and rail tunnels blocked by slips.

Prime Minister Key and Minister Gerry Brownlee estimate the clean-up will run into the hundreds of millions and clearing the debris could take months.

New Zealand First leader Winston Peters is calling for tough new laws around looting after three houses were burgled in the aftermath of this morning's quake.

Joining Tristram Clayton from inside his quake ravaged Wellington apartment is NZ Herald New Zealand political journalist Barry Soper.

The Sky Tower will be lit in black and white tonight, as a mark of solidarity with the rest of the country following today's earthquakes. Acting

An Australian family in New Zealand for a holiday are astounded at the "generosity" of Wellingtonians following the earthquake. Sandra

There's a 12 per cent chance of a big quake hitting before midnight. That's the prediction from government scientists GeoNet.

Join Tristram Clayton as he talks to Newstalk ZB reporter Chelsea Daniels in Waiau. The epicenter of this morning’s 7.5 magnitude earthquake was directly under this small north Canterbury settlement, population 250.

A 100-year-old woman and her daughter-in-law were rescued from the rubble of an historic homestead, while her son tragically did not make it.

New Zealand was hit by two earthquakes just after midnight - not just one. Experts have identified three likely scenarios to unfold from here.

GNS Science seismologist Dr John Ristau has answered your earthquake questions in a live chat.

New Zealand businesses are equipped to deal with earthquakes and are holding up well says a top fund manager.

Students at an Auckland school were 20 minutes into their history scholarship exam this morning before it was cancelled.