The Department of Conservation (DOC) is checking on trampers in Fiordland after the massive earthquake which rocked the region last night.
The quake, which was centred 100km northwest of Tuatapere and 12km deep, struck at 9.22pm and triggered an alert from the Pacific tsunami warning centre in Hawaii.
There were no immediate reports of major damage from the quake, which was felt widely throughout the South Island and as far north as Taranaki. DOC staff flew into Fiordland National Park at first light to check on registered trampers and one-day visitor structures before focusing on the quake's epicentre and surrounding huts and tracks, Te Anau acting area manager Andrew Cudby said.
"We have over 1200 structures in Fiordland National Park alone and we urge the public to let us know immediately if damage has occurred to any of them," he said.
A team of DOC staff on Resolution Island, close to the quake's epicentre, were safe and well, he said.
Other staff in the field had also been contacted and were unharmed.
DOC vessel Southern Winds was in the area at the time and would be inspected for damage today.
