An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale hit New Zealand eastern North Island's Hawke's Bay on Thursday.
The quake, occurred at 4.15 p.m. (04:15 GMT), was centred 50 km southeast of Waipukurau, and close to where an earthquake of a similar strength struck on Tuesday morning, New Zealand's state geologicla agency GNS Sciences reported.
The earthquake startled residents in the coastal community of Porangahau, Xinhua reported.
No casualities or damage were reported.