Strong quake shakes North Island's east coast

Photo / Thinkstock

A strong quake has shaken the lower east coast of the North Island this morning.

GeoNet said the magnitude 4.6 quake struck just off the coast of Porangahau in Hawkes Bay just before 11am.

The quake, which was 9km deep, was initially assessed as moderate but that was upgraded shortly after two strong.

GeoNet duty seismologist Anna Kaiser said the quake's initial assessment was done electronically and was then reviewed by the duty seismologist.

"It's a 4.6 which is a small to moderate sized earthquake. [In] this region in the Hawkes Bay we quite often see earthquakes of that size.

"It's a seismically active region of the country - quakes aren't too uncommon," Ms Kaiser said.

The quake had attracted 57 'felt reports' by 11.15am, ranging from Palmerston North, to Napier, to Wanganui.