A Tauranga family caught up in Sunday's 5.7 magnitude earthquake were relieved they were in such a wide open space during the shake which lasted about 20 seconds.
Lisa and Warren Broadmore had travelled to Christchurch on Friday with their three children for a touch rugby tournament which their eldest son, Jake, was playing in.
"Their last game had just finished. We were just congratulating the boys on their win against Auckland and the shaking started," Mrs Broadmore said. "It was certainly a good shake, that's for sure."
She said the earthquake lasted about 20 seconds.
"I suppose that's a long time for the ground to be rocking and rolling."