Kiwi hikers trekking down from Mount Everest base camp have described their panic when the devastating quake - which has killed at least 1800 people - hit.

The video was recorded by a security camera in Nepal where an earthquake of magnitude 7.9 on Richter scale took place on 25th of April 2015.

The Nepalese Government has declared a state of emergency in affected areas and appealed for international assistance after a severe earthquake destroyed homes, businesses and temples in Kathmandu and the densely-populated surrounding areas.

At least 718 feared dead as Nepalese earthquake leads to utter destruction. "Sherpas believe that a lot of people may have been buried in their tents."

Cameras at the Marlborough Racing Club meeting at Waterlea racecourse in Blenheim capture the moment today's 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck. Video / TAB Trackside

A strong earthquake centered just off Kaikoura has caused problems with the Spark mobile network today.

Train services on the Wellington network have been suspended.

The magnitude 2.6 quake shook 5 kilometres south of Ruatoria at a depth of only 5km.

Officials are warning that hazardous tsunami waves could hit some coastlines in the Pacific after a powerful earthquake struck near Papua New Guinea.

Government ministers, foreign press and ambassadors including New Zealand's Mark Sinclair are sitting in a glitzy conference room in downtown Tokyo, looking at stunning photographs on powerpoint of a....

A 4.8 earthquake recorded 110km north of White Island this morning was not related to any volcanic activity on the island.

Two earthquakes rattled the South Island this morning.

The four years since the Christchurch earthquake is more than enough time for a discussion about New Zealand's system of disaster insurance.

New Zealand profit for the country's biggest general insurer, Insurance Australia Group, rose from A$92 million to A$193 million ($200.1 million).

New Zealand profit from the country's biggest general insurer, Insurance Australia Group, rose from $92 million to $193 million.

Global insurance giant Lloyd's has paid out $4.2 billion for the Canterbury earthquakes, expects to pay a further $1.6 billion and remains committed to New Zealand.

New Zealand's dual insurance system has been deemed inefficient by a leading insurance company, following the Canterbury earthquakes.

An earthquake has rattled residents in the small Queensland town of Eidsvold, with tremors also felt in Brisbane, 430km to the south.

Four years on, private insurers say they have settled 57 per cent of residential insurance claims over the Earthquake Commission’s $100,000 “cap”.

The North Island’s east coast has been rocked by another earthquake this evening.