Effects of 7.8 quake felt in Australia

The effects of the 7.8 earthquake and aftershocks that struck Fiordland last night were felt as far away as Australia.

The quake, which was centred 100km northwest of Tuatapere and 12km deep, struck at 9.22pm and triggered an alert from the Pacific tsunami warning centre in Hawaii.

In Sydney, a performance at Bondi Pavilion was cancelled and the theatregoers were evacuated, while other Sydney residents were warned to keep away from the water's edge.

However, there was only a small surge of water, about 17cm high, and the tsunami warning was cancelled after its size was confirmed on arrival at Bluff at about 10.30pm.

There were surprisingly no immediate reports of major damage from the quake, which was felt widely throughout the South Island and as far north as Taranaki.

It was followed by two sizeable aftershocks, one 19 minutes after the initial quake measuring 6.1, and another at 1.50am measuring 5.9.

The Earthquake Commission (EQC) said they have so far received 223 claims for damage.

More were expected in the coming weeks and months as minor damage was reported, including cracks to wallpaper, bricks and house exteriors, EQC spokesman Lance Dixon told NZPA.

Most of the claims were lodged in Invercargill, Dunedin and around Otago, but some came from as far away as Christchurch and Greymouth.

People had up to three months to lodge claims, and could do so on the Earthquake Commission's 24 hour line, 0800 DAMAGE, or online at www.eqc.govt.nz.

The commission only covers insured residential property.

The quake was felt widely throughout the South Island and as far north as Taranaki, and was followed by two sizeable aftershocks, one 19 minutes after the initial quake measuring 6.1, and another at 1.50am measuring 5.9.

Four more strong aftershocks followed this afternoon.

The first, measuring 5.3, hit Fiordland at 12.24pm. Another tremor, measuring 5.6, was felt 20 minutes later, followed by a 5.1 quake at 1.30pm.

The latest, at 2.13pm, measured 5.1 and was at a depth of 12km, 80km west of Te Anau.

GNS Science said the aftershocks were felt in Alexandra and Invercargill.

A separate 5.4 magnitude quake in Taranaki at 9.38pm yesterday was not thought to be linked to the Fiordland quake, GNS geologist Matthew Stevens said today.