Civil Defence's response to the 7.1 magnitude quake will be reviewed following criticism it was too slow to alert people of potential danger.

Seismologist Dr John Ristau answers some questions about earthquakes in the region.

Source: Facebook / Ali Rewi

Reports of damaged homes are starting to come following this morning's 7.1 quake which triggered a tsunami warning, closed schools and temporarily stopped trains.

The Earthquake Commission is downplaying a discrepancy where it failed to keep track of more than 2000 "remedial requests".

Scientists say it would have been impossible to predict today's earthquake even though a tremor a day earlier was probably a foreshock.

The New Zealand Transport Agency is asking motorists in the Eastern Bay of Plenty to be aware of the risk of rock-falls and slips after the earthquake and aftershocks this morning.

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The strength of this morning's 7.1 earthquake centred off the East Coast cut power to 1000 homes in Eastern Bay of Plenty.

Source: YouTube: Susan Wood

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Watch NZH Focus: Tristram Clayton talks to NZME reporter Tess Nichol about events that followed this mornings North Island quake.

Watch NZH focus:The North Island's East Coast has been shaken by an early morning earthquake.

If you live in the East coast of the North Island, including Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty and the upper South Island here's what you need to know.

Civil Defence has cancelled the tsunami warning issued for the North Coast Regions of the North Island following this morning's 7.1 magnitude quake.

Much of the North Island was shaken awake this morning with a magnitude 7.1 earthquake felt from Northland to Wellington.

People reported feeling moderate to weak shaking from the quake: "We thought there was a truck coming up the driveway."

A light earthquake has struck in the East Coast tonight.

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In Amatrice, known as the town of "100 churches", at least 15 were destroyed.

High magnitude disasters are overdue along some of the planet's major fault lines and there's nothing we can do to stop them.

Christchurch has been rocked by two earthquakes within an hour of each other.

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This week's earthquake in Italy has raised deeper fears for many residents.

A kindergarten teacher has rushed home to Italy after Wednesday's 6.2 magnitude earthquake claimed the life of her mother and brother.

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Former Canterbury geologist Dr Mark Quigley discusses the quake that has just shaken Italy and its relevance to New Zealand.

A 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck near Taupo 8.27am.

The Earthquake Commission is letting go of hundreds of staff in a restructuring programme.

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