Gisborne on the east coast of the North Island has been struck by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake tonight about 1h 30 min ago. No reports of deaths, yet, but damage is widely reported, the degree at this stage is unknown. Communications with the city are patchy and the power is off. Most of the country was shaken.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiap ... index.html

http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/1/sto ... d=10483633


Catherine Watson
There's no power. Everyone is on the street. The house was shaking and we were all swaying. We stood in the door frames. Smashed glass everywhere, frames, ornaments smashed and on the floor, wine everywhere. Food has fallen off all the shelves in the pantry. Water pipes have burst so flooding all through the house. Everyone is driving out of town and the streets are all backed up with cars.

Its terrifying