KASHMIR NEWS OBSERVER
The epicentre of the earthquake was recorded 57 miles north-northeast of Christchurch, reports the Independent.
It struck at the shallow depth of 3.1 miles, 28 miles from the town of Amberley which has a population of 2,000 people.
New Zealand lies on the volatile Ring of Fire on the Pacific rim which is known for erupting volcanoes and frequent seismic disturbances.
No causalities have been reported so far.