Earthquakes wake Wellingtonians from sleep

More than 6,000 people felt a 4.5 magnitude quake centred in the Cook Strait. Image/GeoNet

Several earthquakes have shaken the lower North Island over the past two hours, including one felt by more than 6,000 people.

At 11.30pm a magnitude 4.5 quake struck 13km southwest of Wellington, according to Geonet. Around 6,000 people reported feeling the quake, with more than 100 near Wellington reporting it as "strong" or "extreme".

People reported feeling the quake as far north as Auckland and as far south as Kaikoura.

So are we done for tonight? Or can we expect a midnight one again this week? I'd like to sleep if possible. #eqnz

— AJ Johnston (@MissAJJohnston) April 9, 2017

Most described the quake as light to moderate but several people reported it as extremely strong. People reported feeling the quake as far north as Auckland and as far south as Kaikoura.

That sounded like truck hitting the house.#eqnz

— Grant Robertson (@grantrobertson1) April 9, 2017

Didn't feel very moderate! https://t.co/0BhiCKBGp5 #eqnz

— Jules Desmond (@julesdesmond) April 9, 2017

Earlier a 4.8 magnitude quake hit 45km south of Martinborough around 11pm, at a depth of 14km.

Central fire services said they had not had any quake-related callouts.

Shaky end to the weekend! Another reminder to make sure you're ready for an emergency https://t.co/I1YwRZ3OTB #eqnz https://t.co/cKKNemHwum

— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) April 9, 2017