North Island, New Zealand: Magnitude 4.7 earthquake strikes Wellington hours before Australia and New Zealand test match

A magnitude 4.7 earthquake has rocked New Zealand’s North Island.

The earthquake occurred near Wellington, just before the first Australia-New Zealand cricket test match of the year.

The earthquake started at 5.18am on Thursday, 5km north of Upper Hutt and 33km north of Wellington.

The depth of the earthquake was 23 km according to the earthquake aggregate website GeoNet.

The website described the shaking as “moderate” and received more than 11,000 felt reports from citizens after it happened.

About 3,700 of these reports called the earthquake weak, 5,000 called it mild, and 2,000 called it moderate.

Only 150 people called the earthquake powerful.

The Test match will go ahead as planned.

“Remember that dropping, covering and holding on is the correct action in an earthquake and if you are in bed, cover your head,” GeoNet said on social media.

Seismology Research Center chief scientist Adam Pascale shared news.com.au the depth of the earthquake meant it was likely to cause only cosmetic damage.

Ms Pascale also noted that New Zealand expects regular earthquakes across the country.

The scientist also said it was a good reminder for people to remember safety procedures.

More to come