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.

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

This morning's M7.1 quake is the biggest to hit the north of the North Island in more than 20 years, when a M7.2 quake struck in a similar spot in 1995.

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.

Locals wanting to help care for land, air, water, or wildlife are can apply to the Bay of Plenty Regional Council Environmental Enhancement

Two women have been arrested following burglaries of motels and holiday baches in the Eastern Bay of Plenty. The women have been

As Boy actor James Rolleston drifted in and out of consciousness after a crash which almost cost him his life, he was encouraged by his mate.

Triple Olympic medallist Lisa Carrington will lead the New Zealand team at today's Rio Olympics' closing ceremony.

Sarah Walker has been elected to the International Olympic Committee's athletes' commission after all.

A mother and daughter who had to be winched out of the forest they were lost in "did all the right things," according to Land Search

One of champion kayaker Lisa Carrington's biggest supporters was certain to be watching down from above.

WATCH: Lisa Carrington has joined an elite list of New Zealand Olympians this morning after winning a bronze medal in the K1 500m canoe sprint.

A newborn baby has been flown to hospital with serious head injuries.

Lisa Carrington has today been sharply reminded how difficult a challenge she'll face tomorrow if she's to complete a golden Rio Olympic kayak double.

WATCH: Kiwi kayak queen Lisa Carrington 'stoked' as she powers her way to back-to-back Olympic gold medals.

One of New Zealand's longest-standing mayors went to a rival candidate's home in his mayoral car and told him the region could save $50,000 if he continued in office unopposed.

Injured 'Boy' actor James Rolleston is still in a stable condition at Waikato Hospital's intensive care unit after a car crash on Tuesday night.

Actor James Rolleston has been transferred to Waikato Hospital and is in a stable condition in the Intensive Care Unit.

Two young children rescued from bush in Te Urewera after going missing for two nights are being treated, police say.

The woman and children missing in rugged North Island bush for three days were in warm clothes but it is unclear how much food - if any - they had with them.

Whakatane police are looking for a masked man who robbed a dairy this afternoon armed with a knife.

A distraught mother screamed in fear as a man stole her car with her infant son asleep in the back, a court has heard.

Tai Mitchell rugby returns for its 75th edition this Friday when Tauranga West will try to defend their title at Opotiki's Memorial

Icy conditions have been blamed for at least three crashes between Rotorua and Whakatane this morning.

Two people were injured in a rubbish truck crash in Opotiki this morning.

The Bay of Plenty parents accused of causing the death of their 8-month-old baby boy will defend the allegation at a jury trial.

The Bay man accused of attempting to kill two police officers and also allegedly shot at four others is heading to trial.