Magnitude 6.1 earthquake shakes New Zealand

Tens of thousands of New Zealanders have been shaken by a 6.1 magnitude earthquake centered near Wellington tonight - described by some as “massive” and “scary”, Report informs referring to NZ Herald.

The quake started with a large jolt followed by at least 30 seconds of moderate shaking.

GeoNet says the quake took place at 7.38pm around 50km northwest of Paraparaumu at a depth of 48km. It classed the shaking as strong.

By 8pm, more than 60,000 people in both the North and South Islands reported feeling the quake, including in Auckland and Christchurch. One resident of the Garden City described it as a rolling sensation as opposed to “jolty”.

The National Emergency Management Agency has advised there is no tsunami threat, the Wellington Region Emergency Management Office shared on Facebook.

A short time later a magnitude 4.0 earthquake hit 45km southwest of Taumarunui and at a depth of 78km.