The severe earthquake which rocked NZ this afternoon sent workers in Wellington running into the streets as the ground shook and buildings swayed from side to side.

Marlborough and Wellington residents tell their stories of today's earthquake and its aftermath.

People on the streets of Wellington react to this afternoon's 6.6 quake and aftershocks.

Wine bottles fall from shelves and displays during the 6.6 quake at Glengarry Wines in Kelburn, Wellington. Courtesy: Youtube.com/Glengarry Wine

Matt Boivin who was in a history lecture, recounts the moment when this afternoon's 6.6 quake hit in the Wellington region.

Staff at Voon Shop drop, cover and hold during the earthquake in Wellington. Courtesy: YouTube.com/Voon Wellington

Watch an animation of the last 48 hours of earthquakes from Wellington and Seddon from Wednesday 14 August to this afternoon's 3pm quake.

A severe earthquake has shaken the Wellington region this afternoon.

Te Papa is looking for places outside of Wellington to safely store the nation's treasures, but it is unlikely the plans will revive a proposal on Auckland's waterfront.

Reports of a strong magnitude 6.1 earthquake on the East Cape this afternoon were incorrect, and were the result of a magnitude-6 earthquake some distance from New Zealand.

Massive forces bent faults below the Canterbury Plains, jolting a sleeping city awake at 4.35am. The other world - that occupied by animals - got an almighty fright too.

The Government has set a deadline of 20 years for assessing 193,000 buildings for earthquake risk and strengthening them.

The Government has set a deadline of 20 years for assessing 193,000 buildings for earthquake risk and strengthening them.

The board and investors in NZX-listed Goodman Property Trust struck an upbeat note at yesterday's annual meeting in Auckland.

Mount Tongariro has been rattled by numerous small earthquakes in the past few weeks, which could spark an increase in volcanic activity, GNS Science says.

Scientists are debating whether the source of more than 2200 quakes in the Wellington region over the past fortnight is an underwater extension of a South Island fault.

A series of aftershocks have rumbled across central New Zealand this morning, sparked by a strong magnitude 4.9 jolt near Seddon, Marlborough shortly before 1am.

A shallow 4.2 magnitude earthquake has been detected near East Cape, after a strong aftershock near Wellington this morning.

This morning's aftershock in Cook Strait was the largest since the 6.5 tremor a week ago, but no damage has been reported.

GNS scientists are confident a rise in activity at White Island isn't connected to this week's earthquakes in Cook Strait.

Property investor Sir Bob Jones is calling on the Government to ease the financial burden for commercial building owners who are required to earthquake strengthen their properties.

Homeowners who think the only issue with house insurance changes is the likely premium increase need look no further than Christchurch.