Magnitude 6.5 quake hits Wellington, New Zealand

A series of earthquakes have struck New Zealand, with the strongest measuring 6.5 in magnitude hitting the coast off Wellington.

Tony Vale, news editor at Radio New Zealand, said the city seemed to have escaped serious damage, partly because of the design of many of the buildings.

He said people did not seem too concerned, adding that the entertainment district was "going at full bore even now; restaurants and bars are full."