new zealand
© Keith Lynch (CPL)The earthquake was felt throughout the North Island.
An "short, sharp shake" has been felt throughout the lower North Island, with a lighter earthquake coming two hours later.

Geonet received reports from 865 people that had felt the 5.1 magnitude quake with reports from people who have felt it, from as far as Ohakune and Hawera.

The quake was centred 25 kilometres east of Pongaroa, in the Tararua district, at a depth of 25km, hitting at 1.07pm.

Bit of a shudder here at Paekakariki - est 20 seconds duration #eqnz
— Jesse Easton (@jesterabi) January 4, 2016

Tararua District councillor Shirley Hull was at her Pahiatua home with family when she felt the quake hit.

She said Pongaroa's "short, sharp shake" left their light swaying.

"They seem to be getting a few these days... [we have] just got to make sure that everybody's OK."

Nasty lunchtime shake here in Palmerston North. #eqnz
— Gerry le Roux (@GerryleRoux) January 4, 2016

Natalie Raynel said she felt a similar shake in Dannevirke, but it was "not too bad".

Folker Liebenow, who lives between Waipukurau and Hastings, said he felt the quake but there was no damage.

He said they felt every one of the quakes that hit Pongaroa, and by those standards it was "moderately strong".

Geonet classified the earthquake as 'strong'.

The second earthquake hit 40km east of Pongaroa, with an intensity of 4.1 magnitude, at 3.10pm.

With a depth of 35km, the earthquake was classified as 'light'.

Source: Manawatu Standard