The first tremor and a series of aftershocks were felt throughout most of New Zealand.

A resident in the capital of Wellington, Scott Hugh Thompson, uploaded to the Internet the dramatic moment when the quake hit. In his video, lights and wall art can be seen shaking violently inside his apartment, accompanied by the sound of dishes breaking.

Other residents reported glass had fallen from buildings into the streets and hotels and apartment buildings had been evacuated.

Photo taken on Nov. 14, 2016 (local time) shows goods lying on the ground in a restaurant in Wellington, New Zealand. A major earthquake rocked South Island of New Zealand in the wee hours of Monday, followed by a series of strong aftershocks and a tsunami warning. (Xinhua)

Photo taken on Nov. 14, 2016 (local time) shows a living room of a house in Wellington, New Zealand. A major earthquake rocked South Island of New Zealand in the wee hours of Monday, followed by a series of strong aftershocks and a tsunami warning. (Xinhua)

"And I was trying to get up, but because I think the ground was moving like that... we can't do anything. The house was moving. And I was trying to reach for the lamp to turn it on and I couldn't even move," said Michael & Mary Morgan, Wellington residents.

"The earthquake continued for probably a good two minutes, possibly even three minutes, that's how long it was. I believe there were possibly two, sort of back-to-back, and it allowed me enough time to actually send out a tweet or two whilst the earthquake continued," said Hugh & Emma Sintes, Christchurch residents.