At least 6 rated severe over the last 7 hours, and over 50 smaller aftershocks.
So far only 2 casualties reported, but a lot of damage.
All ok at the household of @kiwideb and @sift666. Not even a book fallen off a shelf. Though I haven't looked around outside yet. Most of us Wellingtonians are accustomed to earthquakes and don't freak out too badly, but that was the worst I've ever felt. I was still shaking half an hour later, though I did manage to get back to sleep for about 3 hours.
@trevor.george, good to know all is well over the hill in Newtown, or at least well enough for you to take time to post. We are on the hill side of the shops end of Queens Drive, so would have been ok even if there'd been a tsunami and we'd slept through it.
Some of our fellow Kiwis are actually living in Australia, but hope to hear from the rest soon.
Ooh there goes another jolt!