UPDATED 6.26am: A strong 5.2-magnitude earthquake has struck Taranaki, with hundreds of people reporting feeling the tremor.

The quake struck 10km north of Opunake at a depth of 19km about 6am on Tuesday, Geonet says.

More than 1300 people reported feeling it, with more than 60 saying it was strong or extreme. It was felt as far away as the top of the South Island.

Les Parish felt the quake to the north, in Waitara.

He was in bed about to listen to the Newstalk ZB 6am bulletin when it struck.

"It was just about to come on when the earthquake shook the bed, and the dog went berserk."

Les Parish said it didn't last that long but it was enough to make people take notice.

15 minutes after the tremor both the Fire Service and police say they have had no reports of damage or other incidents from the quake.