From our news, there was some damage in Wellington. but not huge. No injuries or loss of life. 'course, Wellington has always known they will be in for a big one one day (or night), that's why they went to great lengths and great expense to put the 'Beehive', (their pet name for their parliament house), on a sort of ball bearing foundation, so when the big one happens, it will literally just 'rock and roll'. They have had strict building codes for earthquake for over a century as well, so apart from whole hillsides falling down, which no-one can prevent, they are about as quake proof as it is possible to be I think.
They must be ok down there in Christchurch, the last place to be hammered, as I have not heard a peep from my brother, but it is too late down there now to ring tonight and check.
