Magnitude 4.1 earthquake hits near Whakatāne

A 4.1 magnitude earthquake has struck about 15km west of Whakatāne.

The quake struck at 6.25pm on Tuesday and 1780 people reported feeling it to GeoNet.

GeoNet listed the shaking as "light" with a depth of 5km.

Bay of Plenty Civil Defence warned aftershocks were possible and people should drop, cover and hold if they felt one.