Large quake hits Christchurch

A large earthquake has rattled Christchurch.

The 5.8 magnitude quake hit about 2pm local time on Friday (1200 AEDT).

There are reports power has been knocked out, phone lines are jammed and that Christchurch Airport has been evacuated.

Westfield Mall was also evacuated.

Twitter reports said household items were smashed.

The quake was felt as far south as Dunedin.

Christchurch has been enduring thousands of aftershocks since the February 22 quake which destroyed much of the central city and killed more than 180 people.

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