Shallow 3.8 earthquake hits Bay of Plenty

A shallow 3.8 magnitude earthquake has struck on the Bay of Plenty this morning, GNS Science reports.

The quake struck at 9.14am, and was centred 10km northwest of Matata, near Pikowai, at a depth of only 2km.

GNS Science duty seismologist Caroline Holden said the quake may have been slightly deeper as there is only a recording station on one side of where the jolt was centred.

"It's still a shallow aftershock," Ms Holden said.

"There is a little swarm there going on - this one is a bit larger than the other ones."

The quake was felt in Matata, and as far west as Tauranga and Te Puke, and as far east as Taneatua.

- NZ Herald staff