Magnitude 7.1 Earthquake Off East Coast Shakes North Island

Civil Defence officials have issued a tsunami warning following a 7.1 quake that shook North Island this morning.

The quake hit at 4.37am, around 100km northeast of the East Cape settlement of Te Araroa, at a depth of 55km.

Civil Defence has issued a tsunami warning for East Coast of North Island (incl Auckland, Waikato and Bay of Plenty) and Upper South Island. 

There's been confirmation of a 30 centimetre wave.

The jolt lasted for almost a minute and was felt across much of the North Island.

The quake was followed by several moderate-sized aftershocks, including a 6.2.