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New Zealand earthquake today: 7.4 earthquake hits country's South Island New Zealand earthquake today: Two confirmed dead after 7.8 magnitude tremors on South Island
(35 minutes later)
A two-metre high tsunami has been recorded in New Zealand after a powerful 7.4 earthquake hit the country's South Island. Two people are confirmed to have died after a powerful earthquake in New Zealand caused a series of aftershocks, causing damage to buildings and leading residents to evacuate their homes for higher ground to avoid tsunami waves.
Smaller but "very dangerous" waves had begun to hit the coast near Wellington after a gauge at Kaikoura measured waves of 2m, according to local weather site Weather Watch. Authorities said they were not yet declaring a national emergency, saying the regions are coping well.
New Zealand's Civil Defence authority described the threat of the wave as “an event of life-threatening or national significance” and warned people to stay away from beaches along the entire coastline. The magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck the country's South Island just after midnight, with the epicentre recording 57 miles north-northeast of the eastern city of Christchurch.
Dunedin city council and Clutha District council are evacuating low-lying coastal areas while warning citizens to follow instructions from emergency services and listen to the radio. Shortly afterwards a two-metre high tsunami was recorded in Kaikoura on the east coast of the South Island, with smaller but “very dangerous” waves later hitting the coast near Wellington, according to local weather site Weather Watch. 
The epicentre was recorded 57 miles north-northeast of Christchurch on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island. The Civil Defence authority advised South Island residents living on the east coast and those living on the nearby Chatham Islands to move to higher ground.
It struck at the shallow depth of 3.1 miles, 28 miles from the town of Amberley which has a population of 2,000 people. A 6.2 earthquake later struck northwestern Argentina, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.
The Civil Defence authority have told South Island residents living on the east coast and those living on the nearby Chatham islands to move to higher ground. Helicopters with medical and rescue personnel are being sent near the epicentre of the quake, where it opened up snaking fissures in roads and triggered landslides. 
The Chatham islands are expected to receive waves from 3-5m high. St John's Ambulance Dion Rosario said in a statement: “We are starting to get reports of injuries from the earthquake area, including Culverden area and Kaikoura.
Some of the first waves to hit the east coast as high as 2.5m have been reported but authorities have warned residents later waves may be higher.   “However, at this stage we do not have specifics.”
Shortly following the earthquake, the authority tweeted: "Situation has changed - tsunami is possible. People near the coast in the South Island should move to high ground or inland." In Wellington, 200 kilometres from where the earthquake struck, residents said the shaking went on for about three minutes, and was followed by a number of strong aftershocks.  
If people do not have time to move inland or reach higher ground, they have been advised to climb onto a roof, up a tree or reach an upper storey of a sturdy building. Elsewhere in the city the earthquake collapsed a ferry loading ramp, broke windows and caused items to fall from shelves, as well as forcing hundreds of tourists onto the streets as hotels were evacuated.
Tremors were felt as far afield as the cities of Dunedin to the south and Wellington on North Island, reports the New Zealand Herald. New Zealand Police said in a statement: “A number of aftershocks of a lesser magnitude have been experienced up and down the country. Police continue to remind members of the public to drop, cover and hold during any subsequent earthquake.
There have been reports of serious damage of houses in the town of Cheviot on the South Island's east coast. “There is a tsunami warning to the east coast of the North and South Islands. Police advise the public in these areas to get to higher ground or go as far inland as possible. Wellington residents should avoid the beaches and waterways.”
Wayne Timmo from Hamilton in the north east of North Island told Stuff.co.nz: "The water in the neighbour's swimming pool was left sloshing around for about a minute and people woken by the quake came out onto the street to talk about it. The earthquake comes five years after a 6.3 quake that struck Christchurch in 2011, destroying much of the downtown area and killing 185 people. It was said to be one of New Zealand's worst disasters, causing an estimated $25 billion in damage.
"The cat has disappeared and the neighbours dog is upset."
Mr Timmo said he woke to sound of blinds banging against the windows describing the quake feeling like "a long slow, rolling or almost rotating motion."
In 2011, 185 died when a quake struck Christchurch. The city's central business district is still recovering from the disaster with piles of bricks, ruined and abandoned buildings dotting the streets.
Memorial plaques mark the spot where each of the 2011 quake victims died, and the city's cathedral in the main square has been left half-ruined after it was deemed too dangerous to repair.Memorial plaques mark the spot where each of the 2011 quake victims died, and the city's cathedral in the main square has been left half-ruined after it was deemed too dangerous to repair.
The Antipodean country lies on the volatile Ring of Fire on the Pacific rim which is known for erupting volcanoes and frequent seismic disturbances.The Antipodean country lies on the volatile Ring of Fire on the Pacific rim which is known for erupting volcanoes and frequent seismic disturbances.
Additional reporting from PA