Snare Island quake
© DSSHAKER: Around 3,000 people are reported to have felt the quake
A MASSIVE earthquake measuring magnitude 6.4 on the Richter scale has struck off the south coast of New Zealand.

The huge quake struck around 200km off the coast of Auckland, south-west of Snare's Island, at a depth of around 10km, according to the United States Geological Survey.

Initially it was registered as magnitude 6.8 but was downgraded by GeoNet because it "confused our system a bit".

Shaking and a "long lasting rumble" were reported to have affected around 3,000 people in the cities of Invercargill and Dunedin.

Civil Defence NZ said there no tsunami warnings in place, writing on Twitter: "There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the 6.8 magnitude earthquake in the Auckland Islands. #eqnz."

There are no immediate reports of deaths, injuries or damage to buildings.

Kiwis took to social media to discuss the tremor, which hit at around 7pm local time (8am BST).

One said: "Just touching base after the #eqnz wobble not long ago, everyone ok?"

Another said: "That was a long lasting rumble I must say."

New Zealanders feared a devastating tsunami after a 7.1 magnitude earthquake hit in December last year.

It came after two people were killed after a powerful 7.8 magnitude earthquake damaged homes and triggering a tsunami in November 2016.

The massive tremor hit 57 miles north of Christchurch - which was razed to the ground five years ago.

The city was devastated by the 6.4 magnitude 2011 quake that killed 185 people and reduced buildings to rubble.