ALTRINCHAM travel agent Ken Garrity is in New Zealand where a 7.5 magnitude earthquake struck on Sunday - but he is not in the affected area and is safe and well.
The earthquake, which killed two people, struck after midnight north of Christchurch near the town of Kaikora.
The epicentre is northeast of Christchurch, near the town of Kaikoura, which has been cut off by landslides.
Ken, who was 650 km away from the affected area, said on Sunday: "I am still at present in Queenstown en route to Christchurch on a travel agents trip.
"There were local reports of tremors felt here but really very mild. I must have slept through it all. Most people did not realise anything was wrong until they saw the news.
"All sightseeing tours are operating normally and everyone is going about their day to day business.
"Apparently the capital Wellington city centre was closed as a precaution along with local rail and ferries.
"But in true Kiwi style they are all keeping calm and carrying on."
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