Magnitude 4.5 earthquake rocks central New Zealand

A 4.5 magnitude quake has jolted many awake across Wellington and the top of the South Island. Photo / Geonet

An early morning quake has rocked central New Zealand.

The moderate tremor measured magnitude 4.5 and was centred 20km northeast of Seddon.

It was just 11km deep striking just after 4am.

Geonet reported it was felt widely across Blenheim, Nelson and Wellington.

The region was jolted by a similar sized quake three days ago on the eve of the first anniversary of the devastating 7.8 Kaikoura quake.