Strong earthquake jolts Hawkes Bay region

Residents in the Hawke's Bay received a sharp jolt this evening as a large earthquake rocked the region.

The quake, happened at 11.25pm, measured 5.9 on the Richter scale, with a depth of 30km and was centred 10 km south-west of Hastings, GeoNet Science reported.

Hastings and Gisborne police have reported alarms were set off throughout the region by the quake but there had been no reports of injuries or damage.

Radio talkback callers from the region are reporting broken windows and minor damage.

- NZPA