There have been no reports ofdamage, but workers in Rotorua were evacuated as a precaution. A Te Waiariki Purea Trust staff member said its building in the Haupapa St was cleared.
The Ministry of Civil Defence said there was no tsunami threat to New Zealand.
Betty Lowe of Whakatane said the quake was the "worst" she'd felt in a long time.
"[The] floor moved under me, vertical blinds really swayed, [it] went on for several minutes."
Further south, Geoff Tolley said: "I felt the earthquake in Wanganui as a gentle rocking which rattled plates in the cupboard. It seemed to continue for about a minute."
Briar and Hazel Elliot said they felt their car rocking while driving in Whangamata.
The Ministry of Civil Defence has confirmed there is no tsunami threat to New Zealand.
Earlier, GeoNet reported a 5.1 earthquake had also struck Hanmer Springs just after 11.30 this morning. However, this turned out to be a technical glitch.