Moderate aftershock hits Christchurch

The 15km magnitude 4.4 quake was located 10km north east of Christchurch. Photo / iStock

Christchurch has been shaken by a moderate earthquake this evening, just days after the city was rocked by a strong 5.7 magnitude tremor.

The latest quake struck at 7.17pm 10km north-east of Christchurch at a depth of 15km. GeoNet has downgraded its magnitude from 4.4 to 4.3.

It received 1051 reports from people who felt the tremor.

"The majority of reports were from people in Christchurch," seismologist John Ristau said.

"There was also a few felt reports from as far south as Dunedin.

"People in Wellington and Gisborne also reported feeling the quake but it's highly unlikely they felt it. They probably felt a separate smaller, localised quake."

It was unlikely the quake had caused significant damage, he said.

"A few things may have fallen off shelves, but I would be surprised to hear if there was much damage because of its offshore location."

Emergency services have not received any reports of damage or injuries from the latest Christchurch quake, the second largest aftershock since Sunday.

Some people have posted messages online about the earthquake.

New Zealand 4.4 earthquake nearing the anniversary of the big one. 😱😱

— Ade (@ade171066) February 18, 2016

Earthquake again *sigh*

— Adrienne Rewi (@AdrienneRewi) February 18, 2016

The city is just days away from commemorating the five-year anniversary of the deadly February 2011 quake that claimed the lives of 185 people.

Meanwhile, a light 3.7 magnitude quake has just rattled Gisborne.

The quake was centred 30km east of the city at a depth of 32km.