A moderate earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale has been felt in the lower North Island on Sunday afternoon.
The quake was centred 10-kilometres north-west of Masterton and was 30 kilometres deep.
A dairy farmer, Graeme Stuart, who lives two-kilometres from the quake's epicentre, says he had to move quickly as the quake progressed.
He says it was proceeded by a train like roar and then a violent shake for about 10 seconds, but nothing fell.
Mr Stuart says he got into a doorway and hoped it wasn't going to be a duplicate of Christchurch.
Police in Masterton say they have not received any reports of damage after the earthquake.
