A magnitude 4.8 earthquake has been widely felt throughout the central New Zealand this evening.
The quake hit at 8:51pm and was centred 10km south-west of Paraparaumu, north of Wellington, at a depth of 54km, Geonet reported.
More than 10,000 people submitted felt reports for the "moderate" intensity quake, feeling it in the Taranaki, Whanganui, Manawatū and Wellington regions, as well as Wairarapa and northern parts of the South Island.
Thousands of people took to Twitter to report their experiences of the quake.
Technology writer Haydn Green said it was a "big shake" in Wellington.
"[It was] loud with a solid shake at either end," he tweeted.
Deaf Aotearoa New Zealand chief executive Lachlan Keating felt a "real sharp jolt" in Plimmerton.
"Long slow build-up then a real sharp jolt in Plimmerton. #eqnz," he tweeted.
Palmerston North resident Dave Craig tweeted "#eqnz Palmy is rockin!".
Mayor of Wellington City Justin Lester also tweeted regarding an automated magnitude, before the quake's intensity was reviewed.
"Surely that was more than a 4.4! Hope everyone is okay #eqnz," said Lester.
New Zealand Red Cross also tweeted about the quake.
"That was a big shake! Hope everyone in #Wellington is ok #eqnz," they said.
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