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There were more than 50,000 felt reports in the minutes after the earthquake.
Civil Defense is advising people to “move immediately to the nearest high ground” after a “severe” earthquake struck the country.
The earthquake struck at 2.27am on Friday. It struck 100 kilometers east of Te Araroa.
“We have issued a TSUNAMI ADVISORY for New Zealand’s coastal areas following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake off EAST OF THE NORTHERN ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND,” wrote the National Emergency Management Agency on Twitter.
“Areas under LAND and MARINE THREAT: The east coast of the North Island from CAPE RUNAWAY to TOLAGA BAY,” wrote NEMA.
In the minutes after the earthquake, more than 50,000 people reported feeling it in Geonet.
The vast majority of the felt reports classified the earthquake as weak or moderate.
Wilson Chau, a man from Wellington, said the earthquake lasted “a good 30 seconds.”
Christchurch-based Bonnie Brown said the earthquake felt very different from the Canterbury earthquakes.
It was a long, slow and continuous earthquake, he said.
“My windows were rattling and my third floor room was rocking and rolling.
“It was because of what I felt was a long time.”
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has sent her wishes to those affected by the earthquake.
“I hope everyone is well, especially on the east coast, they would have felt the full force of that earthquake,” he said.
The message posted on Facebook and Instagram was accompanied by a map showing ‘synthetic reports’ of the earthquake.
