Wellington has been shaken by a strong magnitude 4.7 earthquake but there have been no reports of damage.
GeoNet said the quake struck 5km southwest of Seddon, in Marlborough, at a depth of 21km just before 1.45pm.
The quake was felt as a slow, deep rolling motion in an office tower in central Wellington.
Fire and police communications centres said there had been no reports of damage so far in the lower North Island and upper South Island.
A Wellington Free Ambulance spokesman said there had been no call-outs as a result of the earthquake.
The tremor was felt by Twitter users in Wellington.
Philippa Ormrod said: "Ew yucky earthquake in Wellington just now, went for ages! #eqnz"
Dacia H said it was a "minor quake" that was mostly felt by people sitting at their desks.
Aimee Bell said: "I don't think that quake would have caused much damage but firetruck sirens haven't stopped since it happened #eqnz #Wellington"
