Earthquake that was big, really big hits Wellington at 14:33

 

 Quake damage at Victoria University - Source: Twitter, @AntDCat

• Epic earthquake damage documented in Wellington - Source: Ben Kepes

A strong earthquake felt in Wellington this afternoon had a magnitude of 6.2.
It was at a depth of 8km deep and was centred 10.8 kilometres south-east of Seddon.
One businessman in the Wellington CBD told ONE News "It was big, it was really big."
There have already been two aftershocks measuring 5.7 and 4.4.
However reports of the magnitude have been changing.
The worst of the damage is thought to be in the Seddon area, the closest to the quake's epicentre.
South of Blenheim, towards Seddon, roads are partially blocked by rock falls and cracked in some areas - and there are early reports a house has collapsed between Seddon and Blenheim.
Emergency services are still on the way
The Fire Service in Wellington is being inundated with calls from the public following the earthquake.
Power is still on the Wellington CBD and traffic is flowing normally, however some power lines are reported to be down.
There is no threat of a tsunami for New Zealand, say the Civil Defence.

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Heritage buildings around the Parliamentary precinct are being checked over.
Tranzmetro has suspended all its rail and bus services in Wellington and Wellington Airport advises runway temporarily closed for inspection following quake.
Staff in the TVNZ Wellington Newsroom said cabinets shook and everyone dived under desks when it hit.
On Twitter, ONE News reporter Jessica Mutch said: "That was a heart beating quake. Lots of people under their desks in the press gallery."
ONE News reporter Ryan Boswell says Wellington City Council says the CDB appears largely unscathed but still assessing.

Quake felt widely
The quake has been felt in Hamilton, Rotorua and Palmerston North, Nelson and Taranaki.
"Definitely felt both the quake and aftershock here in Palmerston North," said David Illingworth.
"I was working in the garage and the house felt as if it lifted and then rocked and swayed.  Stopped both of our clocks and weights still swinging at 2:52 pm," he said.
Another person says, "I felt it in Richmond, Nelson. The wall unit shook and so did the TV, and light shades swinging it was really scarey!" Helen Hills.
Another says "My vertical blinds all started swaying from side to side so fast that they were banging when they hit the ends of the windows, I felt seasick,  very scary," says Lorraine.

Source:http://tvnz.co.nz/national-news/big-quake-hits-wellington-5534774