Magnitude 4.3 earthquake rattles Christchurch

Christchurch has been shaken by a 4.3 magnitude earthquake, felt by thousands across the city.

The quake occurred at roughly 7:49am on Thursday, located 10km south-west of Christchurch. 

According to GeoNet, the 5km-deep quake may have been felt in Akaroa, Amberley, Arthur's Pass, Ashburton, Cheviot, Christchurch, Culverden, Geraldine, Methven, Oxford and surrounding localities.

Almost 10,000 people have reported feeling the quake on GeoNet.

Extreme shaking has been reported in the Canterbury town of Lincoln, in the Christchurch suburb of Avondale and in Ashburton, although the majority have reported light to weak tremors from locations across the country. 

On Tuesday, a magnitude 4.5 quake struck 35km east of Taihape. Thousands across Manawatu and Hawke's Bay reported feeling the tremors.