biggest earthquake in New Zealand.
In 1885 a magnitude 8.2 earthquake rocked the southern part of the North island. Caused by movement along a fault in Palliser Bay, it changed the shape of Wellington. The evening of 23 January 1855 was the end of a two-day holiday, the 15th anniversary of Wellington’s founding. Shortly after 9 p.m a massive earthquake hit wellington the main shock lasted 50 seconds. after the earthquake as far away as New Plymouth an almost a large vibration could be felt for a very long time. about five or nine people died during the main earthquake