A 4.4 magnitude earthquake shook Whanganui lunchtime shoppers just after noon today.
Located 10km west of Whanganui the 12.33pm jolt was described as abrupt and sudden.
"It came without warning and lasted just a few seconds," a resident who did not wish to give his name said.
GeoNet categorised the quake as weak in intensity.
There have been no reports of damage.
