Thousands of people around the North Island were woken to a 5.3 magnitude earthquake in the Bay of Plenty on Sunday morning.

GeoNet reports that the quake struck at 5.34am, 50 km north-west of Te Kaha at a depth of 115km.

More than 5000 people reported feeling the quake, many describing it as weak or light.

It was felt across the North Island, including Wellington and Napier, with reports of it also being felt in the South Island.