At least two people are dead after a series of earthquakes struck New Zealand’s South Island.
It began with a 7.8-magnitude quake in the early hours of Monday, triggering eight feet high waves.
An initial tsunami warning was downgraded but aftershocks continued throughout the morning
The quake was centred near Kaikoura, which is about 50 miles northeast of the city of Christchurch. It was followed hours later by 6.2-magnitude quake.
A series of aftershocks were felt as far as Wellington on North Island, where guests were evacuated from hotels, Prime Minister John Key said.
The initial earthquake was much more powerful than the devastating 6.3-magnitude quake which struck Christchurch in 2011 killing 185 people.
According to the New Zealand Herald, more than 250 aftershocks hit the South Island and lower North Island in the 12 hours since the quake.
The Foreign Office has updated its advice this morning to the following:
"Aftershocks are continuing following a 7.5 earthquake on New Zealand’s South Island in the early hours of Monday 14 November 2016, local time.
"We advise British Nationals in New Zealand to follow the advice of the local authorities."
