The 6.1-magnitude quake struck southwest of Invercargill, off New Zealand’s South Island and was followed by a 5.1-magnitude earthquake northeast of Seddon on the North Island, the US Geological Survey found.
A “significant jolt” was felt in the capital, Wellington, during the 6.1 quake which happened at a 10km depth at 1.43pm local time (2.43am BST).
“Moderate shaking” was created by the stronger quake, Geonet, the country’s earthquake report website, said.
The two quakes were an hour apart but were not related, a seismologist confirmed.
Just hours before, a 4.7-magnitude quake struck 33km east of Blenheim in the Marlborough wine region on the north east of the South Island.
New Zealand authorities issued a reminder to “drop, cover, and hold” in the event of an earthquake.
Wellington residents reported feeling the strongest quake and used social media to check on family and friends.
Metlink Wellington, the capital’s train system, stopped running all its trains.
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