NZ 'blessed' no one died - Civil Defence minister

Damage to shops on Hills Rd. Photo / Rachael Crawford.

It is a blessing no one died in the massive earthquake which rocked Canterbury this morning, Civil Defence Minister John Carter said after crisis meetings in the Beehive.

"I think we've been extremely lucky as a nation," Mr Carter told NZPA after top public servants, ministers and specialists met in the wake of the magnitude 7.1 quake, which hit across Canterbury about 4.30am, with several severe aftershocks.

Buildings crumbled throughout Christchurch, and in rural Canterbury, crushing cars and closing roads, yet only one serious injury was reported, a man in his 50s who is in intensive care in Christchurch Hospital.

A state of emergency has been declared in Christchurch and the Selwyn districts, with 90 per cent of power expected to be restored by this evening, but water and sewage would take longer to get back in order.

Christchurch Airport was closed, and trains were stopped from running.

"I think we've been extremely lucky as a nation that there's been no fatalities...we're blessed actually," Mr Carter said.

While the earthquake had not killed anyone, Mr Carter said the damage to infrastructure was so significant that it was difficult to assess. Earthquake Damage Commission and insurance specialists were flying to Christchurch to survey the damage, and would report back in 48 hours.

Prime Minister John Key was flying to Christchurch and was expected to arrive about 3pm. His air force flight would stop in Wellington to pick up Mr Carter and Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee for the flight south.

They would meet Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker, who would survey the damage with the ministers.

Mr Carter had been working out of the National Crisis Management Centre in the Beehive this morning, but said he felt it important he and the prime minister be in Christchurch "just to give people support and the confidence that we are there for them".

He admitted the massive quake came at a difficult economic time for the Government, but assured those worst affected that help would be provided by the Government as and where required.

Civil Defence director John Hamilton and his staff would remain on standby for as long as required, he said.

The man who suffered serious injuries was hit by a falling chimney when the massive earthquake struck.

The earthquake also caused structural damage and gas leaks, cut power, rupturing water and sewerage mains. Roads were blocked by debris, some in the central city caused by building frontages of older buildings collapsing. Cars had been crushed under the rubble, and wardens were warning people to stay away from older buildings as they feared further collapses.

Christchurch Hospital spokeswoman Michele Hider said a number of people had received minor injuries but two -- both men in their 50s -- were more seriously injured.

One was hit by a falling chimney and was in a serious condition in intensive care, while a second received serious injuries after being cut by glass.

Inspector Mike Coleman said police had cordoned off central Christchurch as it was dangerous but also because looters had already been active.

"There's considerable damage there, and we've already had reports of looting," he told Radio New Zealand.

Police had taken about 300 calls in the first couple of hours following the quake, with many people concerned for relatives.

Power was out from Rakaia, 60km southwest of Christchurch, to the Waimakariri River, north of the city, and across the Canterbury Plains, through to the foothills of the southern alps.

All Christchurch Hospitals were operational, though people were asked to go to hospital only if it was an emergency.

The New Zealand road running championships, due to be held in the city today, had been cancelled.

The two-storey 1920s home of Neil and Cathy McPherson, in the suburb of Merivale, had its two brick chimneys demolished and ceilings cracked.

"You couldn't walk, it was so frightening," Mrs McPherson told NZPA.

"We've lost treasures but that is neither here nor there - ornaments and dinner sets."

- NZPA