Our reporter Chelsea Daniels has walked into Waiau to speak to the people there who have been affected by the earthquake.

Roads in and out of town are not passable. 

She says everyone gathered at the Civil Defence center at Waiau School, and some have now gone home.

However, the damage to buildings around the town appears to be significant. 

Sez Nathan was inside with six other family members when the quake hit.

Her 11 year old daughter's room is at the front - a window pane nearly crushed her.

They all huddled together in the house with no way to get out.

All made it out alive. 

Chelsea Daniels speaks to Mike Hosking above