World Leaders, Including Donald Trump, Have Been Calling John Key

Prime Minister John Key said several world leaders had contacted him about the earthquakes, including an attempt by US President-elect Donald Trump.

Key told Newshub it was important to try to stop earthquakes impacting on the tourism industry.

"I do slightly worry about earthquakes because the news travels around the world, this is a big one - 7.5. A lot of leaders around the world that I know contacted me so they're seeing it on their TV sets."

He said he was told Trump had tried to call yesterday and it was possible he would talk to him in the next two days.

The Hungarian President was also in Wellington yesterday and Key said he had never felt an earthquake in his life.

Key said it was important to show the international community that New Zealand was well equipped to withstand earthquakes and cope with the aftermath.

"We need to make sure those people go away and say as terrible as it was, the New Zealanders were brilliant. And that was the experience out of Christchurch."

- NZ Herald