Strong earthquake rocks New Zealand

Emergency services in New Zealand are assessing damage following a major earthquake centred just off the east coast of the North Island.

There has been widespread minor damage and blackouts but so far no casualties have been reported.

The quake, measuring 6.8, struck just before 9:00pm local time and was centred beneath the sea around 50 kilometres south-east of the central north island coastal city of Gisborne.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/12/20/2124579.htm