It struck at a depth of 146 kilometres, north west of French Pass at the top of the South Island, just after 3am.
Newstalk ZB's Sean Hogan says 13-thousand people have reported feeling what Geonet's declared to be 'light' shaking
He says it was strong enough to wake him up in Wellington, and make his house creak.
There have so far been no reports of damage.
