Earthquakes shake the capital

Two earthquakes have rattled Central New Zealand today.

The first, magnitude 5.7, struck at 9.06am 30km east of Seddon. It was 16km deep. GNS classified it as severe, and it was felt as far away as Christchurch and New Plymouth.

The second quake was a strong 4.5, 35km east of Seddon and 15km deep. It came at 3.21pm.

There did not appear to be any damage, though some supermarkets reported stock falling off shelves.