Deadly 7.5 quake hits not far from Hanmer Springs in North Canterbury: At a glance

THE EARTHQUAKES

• 7.5 quake struck at 12.02am not far from Hanmer Springs in North Canterbury in the South Island

• A swarm of aftershocks since, the biggest being 6.2

• At least two people have been killed amid reports of many other casualties - one victim suffered a heart attack, another was killed in a historic homestead in Kaikoura
• It is understood a number of people in the North Canterbury region were treated after suffering non-fatal heart attacks after the quake. Several have occurred at evacuation centres.

THE TSUNAMI WARNINGS

• A tsunami warning issued for the east coast of the North Island, South Island and Chatham Islands

• People in low-lying parts of these areas have been told to move immediately inland or to higher ground

• Confirmation a tsunami was generated

• Tsunami waves of up to 2m hit in Kaikoura. Waves also reported Wellington

• update: 245 emergency 111 calls have been taken by @NZFireService since the midnight quake (nationwide)

THE DAMAGE

• Injuries have been reported, but details yet to be confirmed.

• Homes damaged in North Canterbury

• Landslips and bridge damage on road network

• At least one building reported to have collapsed in Kaikoura

• Bridge at Wellington ferry terminal collapsed

ROAD CLOSURES

• SH1 Blenheim to Kaikoura

• SH1 Picton to Blenheim

• SH7 Waitara to Springs Junction

TRANSPORT, SERVICES & SCHOOLS

• Power is out in many areas

• Roads damaged heading into Cheviot

• NZTA asking people to delay travel on SH1 between Picton and Christchurch and over the Lewis Pass. A number of section of SH1 and SH7 are closed due to slips and visible damage

• KiwiRail has suspended all services. The North Island Main Trunk line (NIMT) south of Palmerston North and in the South Island have been cancelled until further notice.

• Exams postponed at Massey University's Wellington and Manawatu campus.

• Schools from North Canterbury to Wellington told to stay shut until assessments can be carried out on the buildings. Auckland campus exams still on.

• Vodafone conducting a full assessment of mobile and fixed line networks. Power outages have impacted a number of sites and backup generators are being used. There are a small number of sites down, mainly in the Wellington and Christchurch regions.

EVACUATION CENTRES:

• Christchurch - Linwood College at 85 Aldwins Rd has been set up for overnight accommodation, Akaroa School Hall is also open for people who need somewhere to go in the peninsula

• Marlborough - The following facilities are identified as Emergency Response Centres: Okiwi Bay Fire Station/Community Hall, Rai Valley School, Canvastown Te Hora Marae, Havelock School, Okaramio Community Hall, Renwick Community Hall, Wairau School/Community Hall, Linkwater Community Hall/Fire Station, Picton - Waikawa Marae, Rarangi Community Hall/Fire Station, Riverlands School, Seddon School, Ward School.

• Leithfield School in rural North Canterbury is filling with families seeking refuge.

• Wellington - Biz Dojo is open now for people living in the CBD, and Houghton Valley School near the south coast is also open.