An area outside Masterton was the epicentre of three earthquakes which woke and shook residents in the lower North Island this morning.
A magnitude 4.7 quake hit 20km west of Masterton at a depth of 28km at 7:15am which GeoNet classified as moderate.
More than 1400 people reported feeling it via GeoNet's website.
The first shake was followed 40 minutes later by a strong 5.2 magnitude quake in the same place, but at a depth of 27km.
It was felt more than 2700 times.
A third, weaker 2.9 magnitude earthquake hit 15km west of Masterton at a depth of 25km at 8:35am.
GeoNet says the seismic activity is unlikely to be related to increased activity on Mt Ruapehu.
The Fire Service says they did not receive any calls following either of the earthquakes.
Another 5.2 quake shook west of Masterton just before 8am.
The quakes follow a strong 4.7 magnitude shake in Christchurch last night and a 4.4 in the eastern Bay of Plenty early this morning.
One local said it "felt bigger than a 5.2".
Wairarapa Green MP John Hart tweeted a picture of his spilled coffee with the caption "OK, these quakes are starting to get annoying...".
Two Facebook users say they felt it in Porirua and in Patea.
Commuters have tweeted that the train on the Wairarapa line has stopped outside the Rimutaka Tunnel.
Some residents used the shake to practice the "Drop, Cover, Hold" drill implemented by the Government and taught in schools and workplaces.
More to come.
