A 6.2-magnitude earthquake has ripped through New Zealand's central areas, including the capital Wellington. There were no immediate reports of serious damage or injury during the natural disaster.
The quake, which struck at a depth of 207 kilometers southwest of the town of Taumarunui, prompted local deputy speaker Anne Tolley to make a swift decision to suspend parliament.
New Zealand's earthquake monitoring body GNS Science reported that there was no tsunami threat but that residents should take proper precaution for potentially dangerous aftershocks.
Shortly after the earthquake hit, locals started to post photos and videos of the natural disaster on Twitter.