UPDATED 2:46am — WeatherWatch.co.nz BREAKING NEWS — GeoNet has just udated the intensity of the South Island quake the initially struck at 12:03am Monday. It is now believed to be a M7.5 quake, located 15kms NE of Culverden, Canterbury. It was earlier recorded as M6.6.

GeoNet says the first main quake occured at 12:03am Monday morning NZT.

WeatherWatch.co.nz has been inundated with reports of people feeling the strong, long lasting, earthquake – including as far north as Auckland in the upper North Island and Hamilton where people say water in swimming pools was moving.

There have been no reports of damage so far but WeatherWatch.co.nz is getting reports of scattered powercuts across the upper South Island and lower North Island, especially in parts of Wellington, Wanganui, Palmerston North and Blenheim. We cannot confirm if due to the quake but seem to have occured at the same time.

Meanwhile GEONET has confirmed a “Severe” aftershock and multuiple strong to severe aftershocks now coming in.

This appears to be quite a strong and significant event for New Zealand – still no word on damage.

Many from Christchurch reporting a long rolling quake but power staying on.

A Tsunami has been generated of 2 metres – view our homepage for the latest.

– WeatherWatch.co.nz BREAKING NEWS