New Zealand

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center canceled within less than an hour its original tsunami warning for The Kermedec Islands, Tonga, and New Zealand Wednesday.

The Honolulu-based center had issued a “non-expanding regional tsunami warning for a part of the pacific” after a 7.8-magnitude earthquake jolted the Kermadec Islands in the South Pacific Tuesday.

In its initial statement, PTWC said that though there was no “destructive tsunami threat to Hawaii” some coastal areas in the state “could experience small non-destructive sea level changes and strong or unusual currents lasting up to several hours.” more >>

A Tsunami warning has been issued for Kermadec Island, Tonga and New Zealand on Wednesday after a 7.8 magnitude earthquake shook the Kermadec Islands in the South Pacific on Tuesday.

Sources have indicated that another natural disaster was predicted to follow in its footsteps.

The ground-shaking earthquake struck 131 miles of land east of Raoul Island and 571 miles south of Tuku’alofa, Tonga. While New Zealand and surrounding South Pacific areas must rush to make preparations, United States officials are also being mindful of their own borders. more >>

New Zealand was struck by two major earthquakes, with the first hitting 1 p.m. (New Zealand time) Monday followed by four minor earthquakes in the afternoon.

The largest earthquake that hit Christchurch measured a magnitude of 6.0.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker told the New Zealand radio, “Thank God, we had evacuated the whole of red zone; there's been quite clearly a more significant building collapse in there.” more >>

Hell Pizza, a chain in New Zealand, has angered the Anglican Church over its new ad comparing its limited time offer of hot cross buns, which is decorated with a Satanist symbol, to Jesus.

The controversial pizza chain has put up billboards in Auckland, the largest city in New Zealand, with a photo of its hot cross bun decorated with an inverted pentagram, which Satanists have adopted as their symbol. Next to the photo of the bun is the tagline, “For a limited time. A bit like Jesus.”

“They [Hell Pizza] join a long line of advertising that’s in questionable taste that slings off things that lots of people hold precious,” said Lloyd Ashton, the media officer of the Anglican Church in New Zealand, according to The New Zealand Herald. more >>

Church services were held across New Zealand Sunday to remember those who died in the devastating 6.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the nation's second largest city, Christchurch, earlier this week.

Many of the services in Christchurch were held out in the open air because church buildings were damaged.

The Rev. Alan Webster conducted a service on the lawn outside the Christchurch South Library. more >>

New Zealand’s biggest Christian Music Festival kicked off Friday with 25,000 people.

Parachute 2011 is hosting a variety of Christian artists and speakers at the four-day festival, including Louie Giglio, John Cameron and Brian “Head” Welch, former guitarist of the metal band Korn.

Some of the activities include a presentation from worship artist Chris Tomlin and renowned speaker Giglio about the popular song “Indescribable.” more >>