Magnitude 4.8 quake strikes off coast of Kaikoura

The magnitude 4.8 quake was 79kms-deep. Photo / File

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake has struck off the coast of Kaikoura.

GeoNet said the 79km-deep quake struck 145km east of Kaikoura at 4.55am.

The quake was lightly felt in central New Zealand, according to GeoNet user reports.