4.8 magnitude quake hits near Wellington

The 4.7 magnitude quake was felt around the upper South Island and lower North Island. Image / GeoNet

A 4.8 magnitude quake has jolted people awake in the middle of the country tonight.

The quake hit at 11.28pm in the Cook Strait, 30km west of Wellington, at a depth of 36km, according to GeoNet.

While GeoNet initially reported the quake had caused "light shaking" that was upgraded to moderate after thousands of people on both sides of the Cook Strait reported having felt the quake.

Many reported it as much stronger.

Everyone ok out there? #eqnz https://t.co/RvdYas1fXP

— Wellington City Council (@WgtnCC) November 12, 2017

One Twitter user said they had been thrown out of bed by the quake, while others said it got their hearts racing.

Hope everyone's doing OK in/around Wellington after that rattle! Remember to drop, cover, hold #EQNZ https://t.co/XEwbY1LCQz

— Get Ready (@NZGetReady) November 12, 2017

People always talk about wanting to experience different things in life: being in an earthquake isn’t one of mine #eqnz

— Maria (@happymumnz) November 12, 2017

Awake for that one #eqnz pic.twitter.com/gnMaKE4Rcm

— Brent Carey (@BrentpCarey) November 12, 2017

I suspect, despite our blasé exteriors, a lot of people in #Wellington are now playing 'Wind? Plane? Earthquake?' And trying not to feel superstitious. #eqnz

— Corrina Connor (@corrinacellist) November 12, 2017

Nerves are shot after that #eqnz, unnerving how close it is to the Nov 14 Kaikōura anniversary too. Does mother nature have a thing against Nov? No more please! pic.twitter.com/yAggpeGqbw

— Krystle Field (@KrystleF) November 12, 2017