Hawke's Bay was rocked by a "severe" 6.5 magnitude earthquake which left large parts of the country shaken and areas of the capital damaged and without power yesterday afternoon.
GNS Science said the earthquake was generated from a fault in Cook Strait and estimated in the coming week there could be up to nine 5.0 magnitude or greater events, with an approximately 30 per cent probability of a 6.0 magnitude or greater.
The earthquake was centred 20km east of Seddon in Cook Strait and was the site of most of the seismic activity in the past couple of days. It was 17km deep and struck at 5.09pm. Last night One News reported four people were injured.
Earlier in the day, Hawke's Bay residents also reported to GeoNet after feeling the 7.17am 5.8 magnitude earthquake at the same location. It was 19km deep.
Strong aftershocks followed yesterday afternoon's shake and were felt throughout most of central New Zealand.