Quake strikes North Island's east cape

A 5.5 magnitude earthquake has struck on the east cape of the North Island this afternoon, GNS Science reports.

The quake struck at 12.42pm and was centred 20km north-west of Tokomaru Bay, 30km south-west of Ruatoria at a depth of 70km.

GNS Science received reports the quake was felt in the Gisborne, Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay regions.

Tokomaru Bay resident Isaac Hughes, 18, said he could feel the earthquake rumbling before it hit.

It then escalated into a short, sharp jolt lasting about three seconds, he said.

The quake was minor compared to the 6.8 magnitude Gisborne earthquake, which struck 50km offshore in December 2007, he said.

Aaron Anderson in Whakatane decribed it as a "a short, sharp, little jolt".

"[It was] not a biggie but it lasted about 10 seconds."

- NZHERALD ONLINE