Powerful quake hits off New Zealand coast; tsunami warning issued

A powerful earthquake measured at a magnitude of about 7 has struck off the east coast of New Zealand's North Island.

The quake, at a depth of 10 kilometres according to the US Geological Survey, hit at 2:27 am on Friday (1327 GMT Thursday). The USGS said the earthquake had a magnitude of 6.9.

The GeoNet local monitoring centre put the quake at magnitude of 7.2, at a depth of 94 kilometres.

A tsunami warning was issued.

"Anyone near the coast who felt a LONG or STRONG quake should MOVE IMMEDIATELY to the nearest high ground, or as far inland as you can," New Zealand's disaster management agency tweeted.