Earthquake rocks New Zealand with 5.0 magnitude

A 5.0 magnitude earthquake has rocked New Zealand after striking off east coast of the country.

The quake was centred 15km south-east of Nelson, at a depth of 74km, according to Geonet.

The tremour was felt up and down the north and south islands from New Plymouth to Wellington and across the Cook Strait as far as Christchurch.

Օne woman said she thought the quake was 'quite strong'.

'Light??! That was not light. Was loud and sharp in Stoke, Nelson,' she wrote on Facebook.