[6][15] A complex sequence of ruptures with a combined magnitude of 7.8 started at 00:02:56 NZDT on 14 November 2016 and lasted approximately two minutes.

[8] For example, the likely contribution of underground overpressured fluid to the propagation observed, required data collection and reanalysis with new earthquake models, not available to initial researchers.

The tsunami was found to be highest at Goose Bay, with data indicating a maximum run-up height above tide level at the time of the tsunami of 6.9 m ± 0.3 m. At Oaro, the height was 5.3 m ± 0.3 m. Marine and freshwater flora and fauna were later found scattered across the Oaro River flood plain, extending 250 metres (820 ft) inland from the high tide mark on the day of the survey.

Early reports said her cause of death was a heart attack, but an autopsy later indicated it was a head injury suffered during the earthquake.

[44] The long term closure of State Highway 1 north of Kaikōura (between Mangamaunu and Clarence)[45] resulted in a detour through the Lewis Pass being the only major route from Picton to Christchurch.

[46] The section of the Main North Line rail link from Picton south to Lake Grassmere reopened on 16 January 2017.

[49][50][51] In late 2020 the road and rail between Clarence and Oaro was finished being rebuilt and strengthened, which cost NZ$1.25 billion (US$890 million).

[56] Uplift along the coast at Kaikōura (up to 6 metres) exposed the intertidal zone, which resulted in a large-scale die off of many organisms including Durvillaea bull kelp.

[57][58][59][60] The loss of Durvillaea kelp caused ecological disturbance, significantly affecting the biodiversity of the local intertidal community.

[58][59][61] Aerial drone imaging two years after the earthquake indicated that Durvillaea abundance remained low on reefs with significant uplift, but it revealed offshore refuge populations less frequently detected by field researchers.

[63] The Hutton's shearwater (Puffinus huttoni) colony in the Seaward Kaikōura ranges was extensively damaged by the earthquake.

Extensive shaking damaged the integrity of many burrows in the remaining shingle and soil tussock-covered habitat used by these alpine nesting seabirds.

[6] Damage to docks briefly halted ferry traffic across Cook Strait;[6] more significantly, container shipping did not resume for over ten months.

[66] The Wellington City Council was given special powers to require reports from building owners,[67][68] and there were doubts about application of the rules.

[70][71] In Lower Hutt, a cinema complex and part of the carpark in the Queensgate Shopping Centre were deemed unsafe and were demolished.

[81] In 2016 and 2017 it was decided that several other buildings would be demolished, not repaired: the Figaro Block of the Malvina Major Retirement Village in Burma Road, Johnsonville,[82] the eleven year old, seven-storey NZDF headquarters,[83][84] and Statistics House owned by CentrePort and built in 2005 on the waterfront.

[96] Wellington Central Library was not damaged during the Kaikōura earthquake but closed suddenly on 19 March 2019 after engineers reassessed it in light of new understanding about building performance gained from the 2016 quake.

[99] Several houses in the coastal suburb of New Brighton in Christchurch were looted after the occupants left because of tsunami risk.

Prime Minister John Key surveyed the damage from the air and later described the scenes as "utter devastation" and estimated that reconstruction would take months and cost billions of dollars.

[106] HMCS Vancouver, HMAS Darwin and USS Sampson, in New Zealand waters for the RNZN's 75th birthday celebrations in Auckland, were redirected by their respective governments to assist.

[107] A United States Navy P-3 Orion of VP-47 and two Kawasaki P-1s of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force's Air Patrol Squadron 3, also visiting RNZAF Base Whenuapai for the RNZN 75th anniversary events,[108] were deployed to assist.

[114] On the morning of 20 November, HMNZS Canterbury arrived at Lyttelton with another group of evacuees, bringing the total number evacuated from Kaikōura to more than 900.

[115][116][117] The failure of BNZ Harbour Quays, Statistics House and other Wellington buildings that were damaged in the earthquake led to revision of seismic assessment guidelines.

The Ministry of Business, Industry and Employment (MBIE) released The Seismic Assessment of Existing Buildings, commonly known as the Red Book, in July 2017.

[122] As a land earthquake with unexpected complexity, suggesting a multi phase event, backed by hard data, including that now of the aftershock sequence's orientation, and an immediate size of displacement relative to length of surface rupture inconsistent with standard models, a new model for some surface megathrust earthquakes has evolved.

[9] This area of the South Island does not have the Pacific plate subducting at the Hikurangi Margin, which commences at Kaikōura to the north east of the Humps Fault.