A "severe" magnitude 5.9 earthquake has struck the central North Island this morning.
The quake struck at 4.51am on Saturday, and was centred 5km south of Taumarunui at a depth of 9km.
According to GeoNet, more than 22,000 people across the North and South Island reported feeling the shaking.
Did you feel the earthquake? Contact us at news@tvnz.co.nz
Since 5am, at least five aftershocks ranging from magnitude 2.6 to 3.4 have been recorded on GeoNet to have struck within 10km of Taumarunui.
The largest, a magnitude 3.4 tremor, struck at 5.04am. It was followed by magnitude 2.8, 2.7, 2.8 and 2.6 aftershocks between 5.09am and 5.12am.
Civil Defence Manawatū Whanganui said there had been no immediate reports of injuries or building damage, with power, water and communication systems all operating as normal in the area.
"Minor slips have been reported in the area, so if you're on the road please drive with care," it said.
"Emergency services and roading crews are assessing the situation, but a fuller view of any impacts is unlikely to be available until the sun comes up."
The quake comes just over a week after a magnitude 5.9 quake struck near Te Anau, which shook homes across Otago, Southland and parts of Canterbury and was felt by thousands of people.
'Shook the whole house'
People from across the country reported feeling Saturday morning's quake.
In Auckland, dozens of Facebook users reported feeling the shaking, while one person in Hamilton said: "The bed was shaking. Felt heavier than a truck going past."
In Waikato, one Te Awamutu reesident described it as a "good shake", while another in Te Kūiti, one person said the quake "shook the whole house".
In Tauranga, one user described "large pots falling off the shelf" as their house shook, while a resident in Midhirst, Taranaki described it as a "huge quake".
Further east, a resident in Dannevirke, Hawke's Bay reported a "good jolt", while in Blenheim, one user described the shaking as "strong".
More to come.
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