New Zealand earthquake: Powerful 6.2-magnitude quake hits during Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s visit

The quake did not disrupt an event in Auckland attended by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but people attending said they did feel the tremor (Picture: EPA)

A powerful earthquake has struck New Zealand’s North Island, which Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are visiting as part of their royal tour.

The 6.2-magnitude quake hit just 40 miles east of the city of New Plymouth, at the depth of 228km, the United States Geological Survey said.

Thousands of people across the country felt the quake, some as far away as the South Island, as it rocked the country on Tuesday.

The quake did not disrupt an event in Auckland attended by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but people attending said they did feel the tremor.

The quake did not disrupt an event in Auckland attended by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, but people attending said they did feel the tremor (EPA)

Harry and Meghan were visiting the head office of the charity Pillars, which is dedicated to supporting the children of prisoners through mentoring schemes and in-home support.

Parliament, in the capital Wellington, was briefly suspended as a precaution. Lawmakers left the debating chamber for 30 minutes.

When Parliament resumed, Civil Defence Minister Kris Faafoi told officials there had been no reports of damage.