A strong earthquake 20 km south of Taumaranui has been felt strongly around the country, including Wellington.
GeoNet has reported the quake was a magnitude 6.7, although it was centered at a depth of 193km.
Parliament has been suspended after the quake.
More than 15,000 people have already reported feeling the quake on GeoNet.
GNS Science duty siesmologist Lara Bland warned local residents to expect aftershocks.
Ms Bland said longer, rolling quakes tend to produce fewer aftershocks but there would "certainly" be some coming.
Civil Defence said there is no tsunami threat.
Director Sarah Stuart-Black told Afternoons the quake was 207 kilometres deep and a magnitude 6.2, although the initial GNS assessment was slightly higher.
"When an earthquake is this deep it can mean it is widely felt beyond the immediate area where it's taken place. In Wellington, I'm based very near the Beehive, it was a long earthquake, it wasn't a jolt. It was more the fact that it was long, it went on for sometime."
Ms Stuart-Black said when there is a long rolling quake, that is longer than a minute or difficult to stand up in, people need to follow the 'long and strong, get gone' message.
"There could have been a tsunami generated. In this case, GNS has confirmed there is no tsunami risk to New Zealand. But for anyone who took the opportunity to evacuate inland or uphill because of the way this earthquake felt, that is absolutely the right action to take," she said.
She said at this stage there were no reports of damage, but people should check their homes.
Minister Kris Fa'afoi said his staff had been in touch with the Manawatu civil defence.
He said Civil Defence groups will continue to assess the region for any damage or injuries.
Fire and Emergency said there were no immediate reports of damage.