Everything We Know So Far About the Earthquake in New Zealand

Two people are dead after a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck New Zealand just after midnight Sunday. The quake was centred near Hanmer Springs, south Canterbury and has caused major damage throughout the centre of the country. Aftershocks hit during the night and are still being felt. Tsunami warnings are in place. Here's what we know so far:

• The first quake struck at 12.02am, at a depth of 15km. The initial tremor was followed by a series of large quakes mostly centred around the upper South Island. A 4.9 magnitude quake hit Paraparamu and a 4.9 hit Wellington.
• One person was killed when an historic homestead collapsed in Kaikoura.
• A second person died of a heart attack at a property in Mt Lyford, north of Christchurch. There are reports of several people suffering non-fatal heart attacks following the quake.
• A tsunami warning is in place for the East Coast of the country from Napier to north of Dunedin, Cook Strait and the Chatham Islands. Civil Defence are warning of strong currents and unpredictable water flows and advising people to stay away from the water.
• GeoNet tweeted that the 7.5 magnitude quake was actually two earthquakes hitting at the same time.
• People in Wellington have been advised to stay away from the central city where there is extensive damage.
• Secondary school students are due to sit their end-of-year exams today. The New Zealand Qualifications Authority said scholarship exams have been postponed but NCEA exams would proceed as planned, if school buildings hadn't been affected by the quakes. In places where students can't sit exams, they would be given grades derived from earlier assessments. But several students will be turning up for exams exhausted after a stressful night. Prime Minister John Key told RNZ he thought would "make sense" to show students compassion and postpone the exams for a few days.
• The town of Kaikoura has been completely cut off due to major slips and road damage. Helicopters were sent to check on a train driver trapped on the tracks.
• Many schools, early childhood centres and universities are closed today. The Ministry of Education has told schools and early childhood centres from North Canterbury to Wellington to stay closed until buildings can be checked. Victoria University and Massey University's Wellington and Manawatu campuses are closed.

A map of the South Island showing the quake's epicentre near Hanmer Springs.