A 4.5 magnitude quake has rattled central New Zealand this afternoon.

The quake struck at 4.33pm 10km south of Seddon.

It was described as moderate and was “felt’ by nearly 900 people from Westport and Kaikoura in the south to Auckland in the north.

Nine days ago on January 29 a strong 5.3 tremor shook the lower North Island.

It struck 10km east of Eketāhuna at 11.26pm and was 35km deep.

GeoNet reported “strong” shaking, with 23,000 people feeling the quake across the lower North Island, including in Masterton and Palmerston North.

Residents close to the epicentre in Palmerston North said the quake felt like a “truck crashing” through their home and reported being startled awake by the shaking.

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck 10km east of Eketahuna at 11.26pm on January 29. Photo / GeoNet.

- NZ Herald