A magnitude 5.3 earthquake has rattled central New Zealand, GeoNet says.
The quake occurred 80 kilometres north of French Pass in the upper South Island at 2:55pm on Tuesday, striking at a depth of 150 kilometres. GeoNet describes the shaking as 'light'.
More than 17,000 people have reported to GeoNet that they felt the earthquake, and the majority say it was 'weak' or 'light'.
"Heard it rolling up the valley for good amount of time and then a bit of a shake," one person wrote on Twitter.
"Definitely felt that one here in Nelson," another says.
