UPDATE: Earthquake off Northland

UPDATED 10.10am

A 4.8 magnitude earthquake was recorded well off the coast of Northland on Monday night, but nobody in the region would have felt the Earth move from the seismic activity, GeoNet Science says.

The quake happened about 1100km north east of Whangarei just after 10.30pm on Monday at a depth of about 4km, GeoNet seismologist Mark Chadwick said.

Mr Chadwick said the quake would ``definitely'' have caused shaking at its source, but none would have been felt in Northland as it was so far away.

``It was closer to the Kermadec Islands,'' he said.

The quake was recorded as being off Whangarei as that was the nearest city.

Northland, along with South Otago, has the lowest earthquake risk in New Zealand. Earthquakes are generally small in magnitude and seldom felt.

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An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.8 was recorded north east of Whangarei last night.

The quake happened just after 10.30pm and had a depth of 4km, according to GeoNet.

There were no reports of damage.