Podcasters rattled as powerful South Island earthquake strikes live

Video: Big Hairy News hosts Pat Brittenden and Mike “Chewie” Bennett were broadcasting their Dunedin-based current affairs show when a powerful South Island earthquake struck live on air. (Supplied / Big Hairy Network)

A powerful South Island earthquake was captured live as the hosts of Big Hairy News were broadcasting their weekday current affairs show.

Big Hairy News, known as BHN, is a Dunedin-based news and political commentary programme hosted by broadcaster Pat Brittenden and comedian Mike “Chewie” Bennett. The pair are known for taking a longer and more conversational look at major New Zealand stories.

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Image: Big Hairy News hosts Pat Brittenden and Mike “Chewie” Bennett react as a powerful South Island earthquake shakes their studio during a live broadcast, before GeoNet becomes temporarily unavailable. (Supplied / Big Hairy Network)

Chewie was the first to notice his studio moving as the earthquake struck, alerting Pat before describing it as “quite a strong and long one”.

Pat reacted, saying: “Sh*t, my heart’s going,” as the shaking continued for a moment after.

The hosts remained live while checking GeoNet for information about the tremor.

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“Holy mackerel, that wasn’t nice,” Pat said.

The magnitude 5.9 earthquake struck about 40 kilometres north of Te Anau at 9.14pm on Thursday.

More than 20,000 people reported feeling the large quake, with shaking recorded across large parts of the South Island.

Chewie told viewers Dunedin rarely experiences noticeable earthquakes, Pat adding that there was “still a bit of a shake going on”.

A tsunami warning was initially issued for coastal areas following the quake before being cancelled about 30 minutes later.

The tremor caused road closures and safety inspections in parts of the lower South Island.

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