Quake felt from Blenheim to Auckland

An earthquake measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale has been widely felt with reports now coming in from as far afield as Blenheim and Auckland.

The quake struck at 9.25 last night about 60km south-west of Wanganui.

Over 1200 people had reported the quake by late this morning which had a focal depth of 90km.

GNS Science seismologist Bryan Field said the response to the website is not unprecedented with over 3000 people alerting the site to the Gisborne earthquake last year.

Mr Field said the response to last night's quake is expected.

"It's very deep so it's going to be quite widely felt," Mr Field said.

He said quakes of this size will hit the country between 10 and 20 times a year.

"It's a good earthquake to remind New Zealanders that the country does have earthquakes, without causing much damage," Mr Field said.

- NZ HERALD STAFF