Preliminary modelling suggests that the earthquake was caused by a rupture of a northeast-striking fault t, but this may be a more complex event.

Richie McCaw, who has been airlifting stranded tourists out of Kaikoura, says the devastation from the air looks "pretty crazy".

Marlborough Civil Defence may evacuate six more people from the Clarence River area this morning.

A Dutch tourist waiting to be evacuated from Kaikoura says the people of the earthquake-damaged-town are her heroes.

On an impulse, Jamie Brosnahan and Jonathon O'Neill spent Sunday night in Kaikoura. The Rotorua couple were heading for Hanmer Springs

Prime Minister John Key said several world leaders had contacted him about the earthquakes, including an attempt by US President-elect Donald Trump.

An English couple was brought to tears describing their nightmare New Zealand holiday.

'Long, scary night' for family as the earth continues to roll.

Three cows left standing on an island of land have drawn international attention.

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 100-year-old woman pulled alive from the rubble of her farmhouse had lived on the homestead for 64 years. Margaret Edgar was asleep

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

Customers of BNZ and Kiwibank may face delays in getting through to the lenders, with both banks' primary call-centres based in Wellington.

A search is underway for six kayakers after kayaks and other gear was found abandoned on the flooded Clarence River just before 5pm. A

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

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.

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.

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

Circle_see_more_DP.epsmattmartinsmile.epsFUTURE FOCUS: Members of the American Council of Young Political Leaders visited Rotorua

When Tess Prentice got tossed out of bed by the giant earthquake that destroyed her cliff-top family home, she thought it was the "end of the world".

Scientists have debunked a prediction that a major earthquake could hit the South Pacific on November 14.

Anyone with damage should lodge claims with the Earthquake Commission within three months.

As New Zealand wakes up to reports of the series of earthquakes to have shaken the country overnight the rest of the world is also coming to grips with the news.

Two people have died and several people suffered non-fatal heart attacks following the main 7.5 magnitude earthquake in North Canterbury.

Scientists investigating the mechanics of the earthquake say it faulted in the same way the February 22, 2011, Christchurch Earthquake did.

A family who fled their New Brighton home with their disabled child have returned to find the property looted.

A Waiau local says roads around the epicentre of this morning's quake are blocked by massive landslides and deep cracks that stretch for miles.

Heavy rain and wind is forecast to batter the upper South Island and lower North Island this afternoon.

Here is everything you need to know in wake of the 7.5 quake.