New Zealand is going through a difficult time. Two strong earthquakes, one measuring 6.6 and then a 5.7, hit central New Zealand recently, sending Wellington commuters fleeing from the city and causing havoc in Marlborough. Police said some buildings were severely damaged. Power was out in many parts of Marlborough and the State Highway 1 was closed due to dangerous overhangs, slips, large boulders and cracks in the road.
People were terrified and there was heavy road traffic northbound from Wellington. The roads became very congested.
Most earthquakes in New Zealand occur along the axis follows the boundary between the Indo-Australian and the Pacific plates. The largest city within this high risk zone is the nation’s capital Wellington although a devastating earthquake hit Christchurch in 2011. A number of other cities have experienced severe earthquakes since European settlement.
Given the fact that Wellington and Christchurch are considered seismic death-traps just waiting to snap close, many people are deciding to leave New Zealand and move to Australia. Many people have decided to jump into a boat with all their belongings and head west to Australia. Australian Government has however decided that the boat people will not be allowed to reach Australia. With support from the opposition leader Mr Tony Abott, the Prime Minister announced that the New Zealand boats will be turned back.
