A powerful earthquake that struck in the upper South Island yesterday afternoon was widely felt in Wanganui.
The magnitude-6.2 quake was centred 35km southwest of St Anaud at a depth of 52km, and was followed by three smaller quakes. It struck at 3.36.
Rail services were suspended in Wellington and the upper South Island as a precaution and, in Kaikoura, council infrastructure staff were out checking for damage.
The shake was felt strongly in Wanganui and people took to Facebook and Twitter to describe their sensations.
Debbie Anderson in Aramoho said her "cupboard doors were waving" while Niki Wright-Jackman described it as "rocking" in Castlecliff.
Cois Izatt was at George's Fisheries in lower Victoria Ave and he said he "felt it nicely".
Lana Smith said the quake made her feel seasick.
"Long rolling feeling here in St Johns Hill - lights swinging inside and swing seat was moving outside."
Kirsty Phelps said her son had to hold their television so it would not topple over.
Shane Flynn was alerted to the quake by birds. He said he was unloading a grain truck near Fordell and suddenly all the birds pecking at the grain flew away.
Caroline Little from GeoNet said it was likely the quakes were related to two quakes that shook the country on Thursday.
Thursday's quakes were located east of Seddon, Marlborough, and were widely felt across Cook Strait in Wellington.
The first struck at 10.36am and was recorded 20km east of Seddon. It was 23km deep and had a magnitude of 4.4, GeoNet said.
The second hit six minutes later at 10.42am and was more intense and prolonged than the first.
It was recorded 15km east of Seddon, had a magnitude of 5.1 and was described as strong by GeoNet.
"I'd say that these are all related in that area and are related to the 2013 quakes as well around the Cook Strait and Seddon area," Ms Little said.