A massive earthquake has rocked New Zealand, leaving at least two people dead.

The 7.5 magnitude tremor struck near Christchurch, just after midnight local time.

A tsunami alert was then issued for the country’s entire east coast, advising residents to seek higher ground.

There have been a number of strong aftershocks.

One of those struck when Brent Edwards, director of news at Radio NZ, was speaking with Ross and John.

He said there had been significant damage from the initial tremor.

‘It’s probably the worst earthquake I’ve felt,’ he said.

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Mark Shaw spoke with Tony Moclair not long after the quake hit.

He said he’d never experienced anything like it.

‘I was sure the house was going to come down,’ he told 3AW.

‘I’ve been in a lot of earthquakes and that was easily the worst.

‘It was out of control.

‘It probably went for a minute.’

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