Checkpoint

The earthquakes this morning forced hundreds of people to evacuate to higher ground and triggered tsunami warnings. Maja Burry speaks to people about their experiences. Audio

Marlborough's head of civil defence is Richard McNamara. He says there's some concern for kayakers on the Clarence River, after it breached its bank. Audio

The key people who would usually assess damage in Kaikoura were at a meeting in Marlbourough, but have since returned, Kaikoura MP Stuart Smith says. Audio

Tim Bennett was on the Interislander ferry when the earthquake struck. He describes how the quake felt on the water and how it took hours before he could go onshore.  Audio

The national controller for Civil Defence has warned people should brace themselves for days of strong aftershocks following last night's 7.5 earthquake centred near Hanmer Springs Audio

Two Kaikoura residents have been airlifted to Christchurch for medical treatment following the earthquake. Health Minister Jonathan Coleman says health services are managing. Audio

Prime Minister John Key says the damage to Kaikoura and the surrounding areas is much worse than he first thought. He's just returned from an aerial survey of the area. Audio

Anthea Prentice lives in Hundalee, just south of Kaikoura. She says the quake felt as if "giant hands" were shaking her house, which she believes is beyond repair. Audio