New Zealand’s North Island quake wakes communities, prompts reminder to be ready

A shallow 5.9 earthquake near Taumarunui jolted communities across New Zealand’s North Island before dawn, with severe shaking reported closest to the epicentre. GeoNet said the quake struck at 4:51am, about 5km south of Taumarunui, at a depth of 9km, and shaking was widely felt from Waikato to Wellington. Authorities confirmed there was no tsunami risk because the quake occurred inland. Emergency agencies urged residents to “Drop, Cover and Hold,” and to review home emergency plans and supplies.