I’m in Australia. A seismologist in Lower Hutt, NZ was reporting details on TV here about the quake. Said it measured 7.5, and took place between Christchurch and Wellington (epicentre), was offshore, away from heavily populated residential areas, resulting in so far 2 fatalities. One a house built in 1800s.
Originally there were 2 quakes, first one in Kaikoura, which triggered a second one further north. But both N. and S. Islands have been affected.
A friend sent me a text message saying they felt the quake for one whole minute in Auckland, which is 1000 km north from Cheviot.
Aftershocks are minimum 5.0 up to 6.3. In South Island, the seismologist said that they can go on for days if not weeks or months.
Tsunami warning downgraded to coastal beach areas, around 2 to 3 meter waves.
“resulting in so far 2 fatalities.”
What a blessing!