A 5.3M earthquake struck off the Bay of Plenty coast late Friday night.

Geonet reports that the 5.3M quake was recorded at 11.37pm, 70 km north-west of Te Kaha at a depth of 171 km.

Over 3000 people reported feeling the quake, mostly along the east coast of the North Island.

Initially recording the quake as M5.4 and at a depth of 174km, a Geonet Facebook post on Friday night says "a late shake for some in the those in the North Island tonight with a M5.4 earthquake occurring deep off the Bay of Plenty coast."

A late shake for some in the those in the North Island tonight with a M5.4 earthquake occurring deep off the Bay of plenty coast. 1/3 pic.twitter.com/Vst95iZGFK

— GeoNet (@geonet) May 5, 2023

"The earthquake was 174km deep and due to the subducting tectonic plate under the North Island – where most of the quakes energy travels up and along the plate to the surface - it was felt widely along the the Southern and East Coasts of the North Island."

Geonet says earthquakes can occur anywhere in New Zealand at any time.

"In the event of a large earthquake: Drop, Cover and Hold."

The quake was 174km deep & due to the subducting tectonic plate under the North Island – where most of the quakes energy travels up and along the plate to the surface - it was felt widely along the the Southern and East Coasts of the North Island. 2/3

— GeoNet (@geonet) May 5, 2023