Wellington and Kāpiti have been shaken by a "moderate" earthquake.
The magnitude 4.8 earthquake hit near Paraparaumu at 8.51pm on Thursday, Geonet said.
It struck at a depth of 51km.
More than 11,000 people have reported feeling it on Geonet's website.
People took to Twitter in response.
Rowan Morrell said it was a "polite" earthquake, while Grow From Here Kaye said it caused a small "tidal wave" in the bath.
Wee bit of a shake up in the lower NI tonight! We have reviewed that quake to an M4.8 causing moderate shaking near Paraparaumu #eqnz
— GeoNet (@geonet) March 23, 2017
@justin_lester yep surely! Whole house shook here in Newlands....
— Erana Sitterle (@ESitterle) March 23, 2017
Freaked thought there was someone at the balcony door. As in told my brother on the phone someone was trying to break in.. turns out #eqnz
— Alma (@_MsMoneypenny_) March 23, 2017
Was that nature's way of saying "Hello from the other side?" #eqnz #Wellington #Adele
— Aunty Belle (@belperi) March 23, 2017
