Earthquake rocks New Zealand

Government-owned geological agency says the magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit at about noon today and was centred off the west coast of South Island.

It says the quake shook cities in the southern region only moderately because of its depth 100 kms below the Earth's surface.

New Zealand sits above an area where the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates are colliding and records more than 14,000 earthquakes a year. Only about 150 are felt by people and fewer than 10 a year do any damage.