Herald journalist Andrew Stone describes the terrifying aftermath of the quake.

The evacuation, via sea, of tourists stranded in Kaikoura is still a day away.

Their ceiling has collapsed, there is no running water or power, every bottle, glass and plate in their restaurant is broken - and a bottle of pinot noir has already been opened.

As the dust was settling, it was becoming clear how good fortune had touched many. It was also apparent the damage caused.

HMNZS Canterbury is sailing to Kaikoura loaded with aid supplies and will bring back tourists and residents.

The New Zealand sharemarket held up well today, but the worst could be yet to come as aftershocks threaten the country.

A Kaikoura farmer has described the eerie feeling of entering a road tunnel on State Highway One south of the quake-damaged town.

Most of Spark's South Island broadband and landline network is hanging by a thread. A cable running along the island's east coast

A cluster of sharp aftershocks have rattled people around the country this evening, including three "severe" quakes near Seddon and another by Kaikoura.

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.

Blood poured down Lindsay Collins' face as he raced down the stairs of his century-old Waiau pub.

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

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.