Moderate quake hits East Coast

Almost all of the east coast was rocked by a moderately sized earthquake tonight at 9pm, the Geological and Nuclear Sciences (GNS) centre said.

The quake measured 5.6 in magnitude and was based 30km south-east of Tauranga, at a depth of 220km.

The tremor could be felt along the east coast of the North Island from Hastings around to Wellington, and in Blenheim, GNS said.

- NZPA