Two people are confirmed dead, and quakes have been recorded as far north as Pukekohe, just south of Auckland, meaning a large portion of the country has been affected by the tremors.
A tsunami warning was in place for much of the country overnight but was downgraded to a marine and beach threat shortly after 8am. The threat is in place from Napier and Hastings to the Waitaki Coast.4.2 Earthquake here in Pukekohe, South Auckland. pic.twitter.com/6J5ggVUrJp
β John Henry Longsonπ (@Johnlongson) November 13, 2016
Schools and early childcare centres from Wellington to North Canterbury have been advised to close until structural engineers have carried out building checks.People in green areas on map should stay off beaches and shore. Do not go sightseeing. Threat for all other regions has been lifted #eqnz pic.twitter.com/hsDzsWThvG
β MCDEM (@NZcivildefence) November 13, 2016
For schools that remain open, the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) says all NCEA students will have to sit their scheduled exams today. If their school is closed, they will be given a derived mark based on other results in the subject.Schools & ECE's from North Canterbury through to Wgtn City to remain closed until the buildings have been checked: https://t.co/s0pAqFRFcK
β MinistryOfEducation (@EducationGovtNZ) November 13, 2016
All of the country's major airports remain open.
Traffic is expected to be worse than normal in a number of regions, as all trains in the South Island and most south of Palmerston North are cancelled until further notice.We hope everyone is safe! The airport is operational for morning flights following a full runway inspection.
β Wellington Airport (@WLGAirport) November 13, 2016
Below is a rundown of the worst-affected areas.All trains and ferry services suspended after earthquake: Press Release β KiwiRail All trains on the North Islandβ¦ https://t.co/D4gngf3JF7
β Wellington News (@wellingtonnews) November 13, 2016
Kaikoura
Earthquake Minister Gerry Brownlee revealed that some people may have died as a result of the earthquake in Kaikoura - but says "the extent of that is not yet reported".
The fire service has since confirmed that one person died when the Elm Homestead collapsed in Kaikoura. Another person was injured in the collapse.
A massive slip caused by the tremors has left Inland Kaikoura Rd totally obstructed, and large cracks have appeared in a number of roads in the neighbouring coastal town of Cheviot.
ΒHuge slip blocking 100 metres of Inland Kaikoura Road, north of Cheviot. Completely impassable #eqnz pic.twitter.com/BX581HaQCu
β Thomas Mead (@ThomasMeadia) November 13, 2016
WellingtonState highway 1 #BREAKING #Quake #eqnz pic.twitter.com/lC3nrFoeTz
β Henry McMullan (@HenryMcMullan) November 13, 2016
The capital was hit by small tsunami waves and a warning remained in place overnight.
An Interislander ferry that crossed Cook Strait is stranded in Wellington Harbour after the drawbridge that gets passengers onto the mainland partially collapsed and fell into the water.
The Interislander's linkspan has collapsed and is sitting in the water. Ferry Aratere stranded in Wellington harbour pic.twitter.com/UtHm4psEZz
β Newshub Politics (@NewshubPolitics) November 13, 2016
The Fire Service says TSB Arena and the BNZ Centre on the waterfront have sustained the most damage.#Interislander and #BlueBridge ferries moving away from the shoreline#tsunamiwarning #eqnz pic.twitter.com/O8LdMNvbPc
β Troy Mihaka (@TroyMihaka) November 13, 2016
People in Lyall Bay were urged to evacuate after surging was detected in the water, sending people running for the hills.
Those planning on travelling to Wellington CBD this morning have been advised to stay out until the afternoon.Please if you are still on the flats go for high ground now seeing big changes in tideline
β Lyall Bay (@lyallbaynz) November 13, 2016
A bit of clean up required at shops on Wellington's Cuba Street: pic.twitter.com/Ezjran4aBY
β Newshub Politics (@NewshubPolitics) November 13, 2016
Residents of nearby Pahiatua have been urged to conserve water and the council has put in a total hosing ban until the bore has been checked. The bore will be out of commission and in the meantime, the town's water will come from a back-up river supply which has been chlorinated.Wellingtonians and guests seeking refuge at McDonald's on Manners St. #eqnz pic.twitter.com/1WPJ1geSVG
β Newshub Politics (@NewshubPolitics) November 13, 2016
Waiau
The small north Canterbury town is feared to be one of the worst-hit spots in the country, with another person killed in nearby Mt Lyford.
An earthquake saw a slip on the Waiau Ferry Bridge, leaving it badly damaged. There are reports the bridge has sunk as much as 40cm under the weight of the slip.
One man was left unable to reach his father when he discovered the landslide.The earthquake caused a slip on the Hamner Springs side of the Waiau Ferry Bridge. #eqnz https://t.co/FuI686IhYL pic.twitter.com/lwevYfLL1q
β The Baptist (@Admitonesin) November 13, 2016
The epicentre of the quake, Hanmer Springs, is just a few kilometres away from Waiau.Christchurch man Craig McDonald clearing trees, trying to get to his father in Waiau. Had to give up when he found the slip. #eqnz pic.twitter.com/YoORzccBtE
β Thomas Mead (@ThomasMeadia) November 13, 2016
Seddon
The Marlborough township has been hit by dozens of aftershocks this morning, which have matched Kaikoura in severity - with some stronger than magnitude-5.
More aftershocks are likely to be felt in Seddon.M5.5 quake causing strong shaking near Seddon https://t.co/0UrTF8HlUA
β GeoNet (@geonet) November 13, 2016
Christchurch
Tsunami sirens were ringing out throughout the southern city for much of the night.
People close to the coast were urged to evacuate and head to higher ground, which is advice that appears to have been taken onboard.#tsunami siren going off across eastern Christchurch!!! #Christchurch #earthquake pic.twitter.com/F5ycaeHpnM
β Flashpacker Family (@FlashpackerFam) November 13, 2016
NewshubA line of cars on Aldwins Rd heading west. #eqnz pic.twitter.com/H4AX8Up98a
β Moata Tamaira (@MoataTamaira) November 13, 2016