Thousands have reported feeling a magnitude 4.5 earthquake near the capital this afternoon.

The light quake struck 45 km north-west of Levin at 1.53pm, at a depth of 5km.

One Wellington office worker described it as being “a bit of a wiggle”.

Another said on social media; “Not fun while in an office building OML [oh my Lord]”.

“We just felt it, shook house in Marlborough Sounds,” said another.

More than 5000 have reported feeling the shake, as far north as Auckland and as far south as Christchurch.

“It felt like a significant jolt in the CBD,” a Redditor wrote.

“The glasses cabinet rattled,” another said.

Another user in the suburb of Newtown said it made them “half get out” of their chair.