A shallow 5.5 magnitude earthquake has rocked Christchurch tonight.
Police southern communications said they were yet to get any reports of injury or damage.
A spokesman said although it was a significant shake, he described it as a "gentle sway - not too major."
The tremor was centred 10 kilometres north-east of Diamond Harbour, and was 12 kilometres below the surface.
It struck at 8.34pm.
- APNZ
