Small quake hits

A 4.8 earthquake hit the lower North Island last night. GeoNet said the “moderate” intensity quake struck at 8.51pm at a depth of 54km and 10km south-west of Paraparaumu. More than 11,000 people reported feeling the earthquake on GeoNet’s website, with the majority saying the tremor was “light” or “weak”. But Wellington’s mayor Justin Lester tweeted: “Surely that was more! Hope everyone is okay.” GeoNet posted that the quake had been upgraded from an initial light intensity tremor. “Wee bit of a shake up in the lower NI tonight!”