Hawke's Bay quake, magnitude 4.5, felt by thousands

More than 2800 people reported having felt weak to light shaking. Photo / GNS

A 4.5 magnitude earthquake in Hawke's Bay was felt by thousands across the lower North Island on Tuesday.

The 5.38pm earthquake was centred 35km east of Taihape, at a depth of 28km, GeoNet said.

More than 2800 people reported having felt weak to light shaking as a result of the quake. Some marked it as moderate and strong.