QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE and Amanda Palmer have been forced to postpone gigs in New Zealand after a devastating earthquake struck on Tuesday.

At least 65 lives were claimed in the powerful tremor, which took down dozens of buildings in downtown Christchurch and prompted officials to declare a state of emergency in the city.

The disaster left Queens of the Stone Age stranded at Auckland airport, forcing them to call off their sold-out gig at Wellington Town Hall. The concert has been rescheduled for Wednesday.

The rockers' show at Christchurch Town Hall for Performing Arts on Thursday has also been axed.

Palmer was forced to cancel a Christchurch gig scheduled for Tuesday after the earthquake hit and she was stuck at Hawke's Bay Airport in Napier. The singer's show in Auckland on Wednesday night is scheduled to go ahead as planned.