Earthquake today: 'Severe', shallow 5.8-magnitude quake hits near Wellington, New Zealand

New Zealanders reported the effects of the quake on Twitter

The quake registered as magnitude 5.8 with New Zealand's GeoNet monitoring agency (GeoNet)

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake has struck New Zealand's North Island near Wellington, though there were no initial reports of damage.

The unusually shallow and strong quake was ranked "severe" by the country's GeoNet monitoring agency, after it hit at 9pm local time on Monday at a depth of 24km just east of Pongaroa.

Residents took to Twitter to describe the effects of the "huge" quake, which comes as New Zealand prepares for national earthquake drills this week.

On Thursday, the country will take part in a nationwide "ShakeOut". The government says 1.2 million people have registered their involvement in the drill at 9.15am, when they will practice a "Drop, Cover and Hold" routine.

Monday night's quake was described as lasting between 8 and 30 seconds. John Booth, the Mayor of Carterton District, said the earthquake "gave the old farm house a good rock and roll,feel like I'm on a boat".