BREAKING NEWS - Severe earthquake hits Christchurch

A magnitude 5.9 earthquake has struck at a depth of 31km, 15km east of Christchurch this afternoon.Geonet said the quake hit at 1.13pm. The severe earthquake was followed by another, moderate quake with a 3.5km magnitude at 1.17pm, 10km north-east of the city.A spokeswoman at the southern fire communications center said they felt the quake but had not yet received any calls and didn't know if any buildings had fallen.See more info and photos here at the NZ Herald

Dust from whitewash head cliff collapse near Sumner. Photo / Andrew Watson