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New Zealand earthquake today: Two-metre high tsunami recorded off South Island New Zealand earthquake today: Multiple aftershocks hit Christchurch after 7.4 tremor
(35 minutes later)
A two-metre high tsunami has been recorded by tsunami gauges in New Zealand after a powerful earthquake hit the country's South Island. A two-metre high tsunami has been recorded in New Zealand after a powerful 7.4 earthquake hit the country's South Island.
Smaller but "very dangerous" waves had begun to hit the coast near Wellington after a gauge at Kaikoura measured the 2m waves, according to local weather site Weather Watch. 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.
The 7.4 quake struck 57 miles from Christchurch on the east coast of the South Island just after midnight. 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.
Residents have been advised to head inland or make their way to higher ground as aftershocks continue in the area. The epicentre was recorded 57 miles north-northeast of Christchurch on the east coast of New Zealand's South Island.
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.
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.
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.  
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."
Tremors were felt as far afield as the cities of Dunedin to the south and Wellington on North Island, reports the New Zealand Herald.
There have been reports of serious damage of houses in the town of Cheviot on the South Island's east coast.
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 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.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.
More to follow... 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.