Prince Harry, Meghan Markle unaffected by New Zealand earthquake

Tuesday, 30 October 2018

The Duchess of Sussex and Pillars patron Dr Pita Sharples share a hongi during a visit to the south Auckland charity on Tuesday.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex - who are currently visiting Auckland - did not feel the magintude-6.2 earthquake that rattled the central North Island on Tuesday.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were at the south Auckland charity Pillars when the quake struck about 3.15pm.

Reporters in the room with them confirmed they were not aware the earthquake had struck, and the visit had gone off without any interruption.

The couple was at Pillars to learn more about the charity, which supports children with a parent in prison, and to meet affected families.

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New Zealand donated $5000 to the charity as a wedding gift to the couple when they wed in May.

Speaking at the Manukau office on Tuesday, Prince Harry said he and his wife were thrilled to be able to spend time with Pillars during their first trip to Auckland together.

He said thousands of children were affected when their parents were imprisoned, and without the right support they were much more likely to spend time in prison themselves.

'But now children can have stability in times of turmoil.'

The quake was centred 25km southwest of Taumarunui and was 207km deep.

Geonet has received 15,653 reports from people who said they felt the quake.