A 5.5-magnitude earthquake has shaken the lower South Island on Saturday.
The quake struck at 10.07am and was centred 40 kilometres west of Tuatapere at a depth of 12 kilometres.
There were no immediate reports of damage from the tremor which GNS Science said was widely felt in the lower South Island.
Pat Coats from Waiau Hotel in Tuatapere said she heard the quake before she felt it.
"I could hear this loud rumble and thought perhaps it was a big log truck going by but then heard all the bottles on the spirit shelf clanging together and then realised it was an earthquake."
Ms Coats said she hadn't heard of any damage in the town.
