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A magnitude 6.2 earthquake hit central New Zealand, resulting in the suspension of Parliament.
The tremor was felt most strongly in central New Zealand, including the capital, Wellington. He hit 207 km southwest of Taumarunui.
No immediate cases of serious injury or injury have been reported. People close to the epicenter reported that their homes were swaying and images were falling off the walls.
Parliament's Deputy Speaker Anne Tolley made the quick decision to suspend Parliament when violent jolts interrupted a member's speech.
"I never thought I had to do it, suspend until we knew what happened," Tolley said.
"There was public in the galleries and people just have to make sure their staff is OK. We are probably in the safest building in the country – but just to make sure we get some advice. "
GNS Science, the country's earthquake watchdog, said the earthquake was felt throughout the country and had lasted a long time. There was no tsunami threat but people had to be careful during the aftershocks, the agency said.
Premier Jacinda Ardern has used Twitter to urge New Zealanders to check on everyone's well-being.
Civil Defense Minister Kris Fa'afoi said the civilian emergency groups were actively monitoring the country, but no "major" events, injuries or deaths were reported.
The earthquake occurred at 3:13 pm local time and GeoNet has reported so far more than 15,000 "felt", the strongest jolts having been reported in Wellington, Christchurch and Nelson.
Geonet reported "moderate" tremors in Auckland, where the royal couple spend the day on a public walk in the Viaduct Harbor.
A spokeswoman for Home Affairs traveling with the couple said the earthquake was not felt in Auckland and the couple "did not feel it".
Fa'afoi said the earthquake would have given New Zealanders a decent fright, and Anne Tolley made the right call to suspend Parliament and evacuate the house.
"She chose the wise thing to do … we felt it pretty strongly in the house."
Fa'afoi reiterated the Prime Minister's previous message and urged New Zealanders to pay attention to their neighbors and their community, as the country may feel comfortable for several days.
"People might be a little nervous, and that's understandable."
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