New Zealand hit by strong quake

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- A strong earthquake measuring 7 on the Richter scale has rocked central New Zealand.

The Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences said the quake struck at 6.52 pm (0652 GMT) and was felt over a wide area of the North Island.

The earthquake epicenter was 290 kilometers (180 miles) northeast of Gisborne, off the North Island's east coast.

There were no immediate reports of death or injury.

Gisborne police said much of North Islands East Coast had lost electricity.

Radio New Zealand reported no immediate major damage.

Although only 33 kilometers (20 miles) deep, the quake was near the Kermadec Trench, one of the worlds deepest places and often seismically active.

The quake is the most severe to hit New Zealand this year and the strongest since one measuring 7.3 on August 15 last year.