Residents of Wellington were woken by the sharp jolt of a moderate earthquake on Friday morning.
GNS Science says the 5.2-magnitude quake occurred 20km south of the capital at 2.10am, at a focal depth of 30km. It was felt throughout the Wellington area.
Police say there were several 111 emergency calls, but no reports of damage.
A 4.3-magnitude aftershock occurred at 3.52am at a focal depth of 35km. It was also 20km south of Wellington.
