Three quakes have rattled the East Cape, one of a 5.8 magnitude.

GeoNet reported the first, strongest, shake struck at 8.41am on Sunday. Two others, one of 3.1 and the other of 3.5 magnitude, struck in the next eight minutes.

The first quake was centred 75km northeast of Te Araroa at a depth of 7km.

A 'severe' earthquake has been recorded. Photo: supplied.

GeoNet said the quake was felt as far north as Auckland and as far south as Canterbury.

READ MORE: 7.1 magnitude earthquake off East Cape

A GeoNet spokeswoman said the earthquake was an aftershock from the bigger quake that struck the area on September 2.

"The original quake was a magnitude 7.1, around 50km off shore - and it's usual to be feeling a series of smaller aftershocks now," she said.

She said smaller quakes were expected for the next two days, but were not expected to trigger a tsunami or cause any damage.

A Gisborne police spokesman said on Stuff they had not felt the quake and they had received no reports of any damage.

The September quake prompted a tsunami warning.