Thousands of people have reported feeling a 4.9-magnitude earthquake which rattled central New Zealand this afternoon.

The quake struck 15km east of Picton at a depth of 35km around 3.58pm, causing moderate shaking, according to GeoNet.

Around 14,465 people reported feeling shaking as of 4.15pm.

Described on social media as “short and sharp”, shaking was reported across the upper South Island and lower North Island as far north as New Plymouth and as far south as Seddon.

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