A magnitude 4.2 earthquake has struck the central North Island, 24 hours after a similar quake near Wellington.

More than 2000 people reported feeling the moderate shaking, which was centred 15km north of Ōpunake in the Taranaki region, GeoNet said.

It occurred about 6.45am at a shallow depth of 8km.

On Saturday, a magnitude 4.9 earthquake struck 30km northwest of Paraparaumu at 6.30am.

The day before, a series of quakes hit the lower South Island.