A large boom and a very bright red, white and orange light flashed across the heavens above the region about 8.15pm.
One resident in Tinwald, Ashburton, caught it on his front-door security camera.
Residents ranging from Westlake, Hornby, Westport and more felt and saw the space rock.
West Melton resident Jill says she was sitting on the couch when she spotted a bright light through the skylights.
She says she noticed what looked like the size of a basketball of bright white light shoot past the windows, and about five minutes later she heard a big boom.
The Greater Hornby Residents Association Facebook page says one resident on Shands Rd saw colours of red, white and orange in the sky.
A post on Facebook about the event now has more than 700 comments with people sharing their experiences.
"There was a massive boom in Halswell that shook our house. Thought it was an explosion," one person commented.
