UPDATED 6.34pm: 25 aftershocks have occurred in the last hour, taking the count up to 313 since 6am.

Since yesterday's 7.5 earthquake in Kaikoura, there have been 1212 aftershocks.

GeoNet reported a 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck 5 km north-east of the town about 6.25pm.

A magnitude 5.9 struck 30 kilometres north east of Kaikoura at a depth of 21 kilometres just after 2.30 this afternoon.

Less than a minute later, a magnitude 5.7 struck 20 kilometres south east of Seddon at a depth of 20 kilometres.

Subsequently, two more strong aftershocks shook the town of Seddon

Only minutes after the 5.7 quake rocked the area, a 5.0 shock hit 10km from the town at a depth of 15km.

Then a 5.2 shock stuck 5km from the first, at a depth of 12km.

The tremors caught the attention of politicians in Wellington, with many reporting feeling the aftershocks during Question Time.

Politicians have raised the quake devastation in the House this afternoon.

Prime Minister John Key offered his condolences to all those affected, saying the damage is serious.