John Hart looking at his home office. All rooms in his house have quake damage Photo: RNZ/Diego Opatowski
Engineers will begin a thorough assessment of buildings and infrastructure in Wairarapa today, following Monday's 6.2 magnitude quake.
The low, rolling tremor struck at 3.52pm and was centred 15km east of Eketahuna in the Tararua District.
Dozens of aftershocks have been felt, measuring between 4.3 and 2.1
The quake caused power outages and property damage.
The Fire Service in Masterton says it inspected damage to three commercial buildings in the city on Monday, with a three-storey apartment block red-stickered and evacuated.
The Civil Defence says there appears to be no major damage to the water or sewage infrastructure in the region.
Commuter trains in the lower North Island resume as normal Tuesday morning following earthquake checks on the tracks.
About 60 homes are still without power after Monday's quake cut electricity to 5,500 properties.
Utility company Powerco says electricity has been restored to most of the homes affected in the central North Island, including in Eketahuna, Palmerston North and Taranaki.
The company says it expects to have all power back on by Tuesday afternoon.