Magnitude 5.5 quake strikes off coast of Coromandel

GeoNet reported the quake as occuring at 8.18pm tonight.

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake has hit off the coast of the Coromandel tonight, with over 1500 residents reporting the shocks.

The quake struck 105km northeast of Whangamata, at a depth of 309km.

GeoNet reported the quake as occuring at 8.18pm tonight.

The US Geological Survey reported the shake as a 5.1 magnitude quake 100km east of Tairua.

Weird little quake. Rolling rolling in Napier. Are @geonet asleep? #eqnz

— Amanda Hanan (@Thebighanan) January 4, 2020

Residents in Napier have reported feeling the earthquake.

"Weird little quake. Rolling rolling in Napier," one Napier resident Tweeted.

Felt that one!!

— vicki (@nostaIgic_) January 4, 2020

Another wrote on Twitter: "Felt that one!"

Sharp noisy jolt here in Wairarapa - was really surprised to see it was a deep and weak quake up Whangamata !

— Lesley Gray #wear that mask people! (@DRR_NZ) January 4, 2020

an hour ago #earthquake 5.5 has hit South Pacific Ocean, 0.0km, 07:18 GMT (GEONET) https://t.co/biCUVR1M69 pic.twitter.com/3e3zmA5QeT

— Grahame Robertson (@grum10) January 4, 2020

One Wellington resident reported the aftershocks on Twitter: "Felt here in Wellington. Hope all is ok further north."