North east coast rocked by big quake

A light earthquake was widely felt across the North Island this evening.

The tremor was magnitude 6.0, however it was 283 km deep. It was centred at sea 145 km north of Te Araroa, and was recorded at 6.16pm.

According to GeoNet, the tremor caused shaking of light intensity.

Twitter users have reported feeling the quake in Napier and Wellington.

A Gisborne Fire Service spokesman said he felt the quake as "a gentle rocking motion".

"It went for quite a while."

There were no reports of damage.