new zealand earthquake
© USGSA 5.7-magnitude earthquake has hit off the coast of New Zealand's North Island
A 5.7-magnitude earthquake has hit off the coast of New Zealand's North Island.

The earthquake happened at 10.04am local time on Thursday and its epicentre was near the town of Te Araroa on the east coast of the island.

It had a depth of 25 kilometres and was felt by people north of Te Araroa in Auckland and the Great Barrier Island, the New Zealand Herald reported.

The South Island would also have felt the earthquake as far south as Christchurch, which is more than 1,100 kilometres away from the epicentre.

It was initially recorded as a 5.0-magnitude earthquake, 100km from Te Araroa, before it was upgraded, according to GeoNet.

Following the earthquake, New Zealand's Earthquakes Commission tweeted: 'We hope everyone is okay up on the after that one. Take care of each other and remember the actions - drop, cover and hold.'

There have been no reports of damage or injuries so far, and there are no tsunami warnings in place.

GeoNet seismologist Bill Fry said the earthquake was felt most on the north-east coast.

'The further away from the epicentre the less shaking you feel, so the lower intensity you would have felt,' Mr Fry told Daily Mail Australia.

'By the time it got to shore [the intensity] would not have been severe enough to cause serious damage.'

Mr Fry said the intensity would have been felt at least 500 kilometres away.

'There is a special situation along the eastern coast which means waves travel very efficiently towards Wellington,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

'We've got a rigid structure, like a string tied between two cups, and because of special situation we get a felt reports from a long, long away.'

Mr Fry added it was 'very unlikely' the earthquake would have been felt in the Great Barrier Reef but he was not on location to confirm reports.

Daily Mail Australia