Earthquake damage

RNZ reports engineers have assessed the stadium and cleared it of any major structural damage.

But the internal concourse and seating bowl will remain closed until repairs have been completed, which is expected to take two weeks.

The Wellington Phoenix were due to play Melbourne Victory in their A-League football match at the stadium on Saturday night, but that has now been postponed.

Westpac stadium chief executive Shane Harmon said public safety was the stadium's top priority.

The US geological survey said the quake occurred just after 7.30 this morning (1930 UTC) at a depth of 10 kilometres.

RNZI reports it struck 31 kilometres east south east of Lakatoro on the island of Malekula.

The quake was felt strongly in both the capital Port Vila, in the south of the country, and in the main northern centre of Luganville, which is closer to the epicentre.

Images of damage to general stores in Luganville have surfaced on Facebook.