1 Oct 2019

Strong 5.4 earthquake hits Hawke's Bay

6:46 pm on 1 October 2019

A strong magnitude 5.4 earthquake has hit the Hawke's Bay, GeoNet says.

Map shows 'felt' reports and the epicentre of the quake.

Map shows 'felt' reports and the epicentre of the quake. Photo: GNS Science

GeoNet said the quake occured in Hawke's Bay to the west of Mahia Peninsula, at a depth of 26km.

It said it had received more than 3000 'felt' reports, largely from the Hawke's Bay, Napier, and Gisborne areas.

Deputy Mayor of Wairoa District Council, Denise Eaglesome-Karekare, said the shaking went on for about a minute.

"It was a little bit freaky, it made me stand under the doorway," she said.

"Normally, I'm pretty laid back but I wasn't for this one."