The magnitude 5.6 earthquake near Blenheim was recorded about 4.06 pm by GeoNet.
Photo: Twitter / GeoNet
It hit about 30km west of Seddon, and at a depth of 30km.
"A shallow M5.6 earthquake near Blenheim caused a decent shake just now, mostly felt by people in the upper South Island and lower North Island. The shaking was strong in intensity, and we have received more than 15,000 felt reports," GeoNet said on Twitter.