An earthquake north of Whitianga this morning was felt by some people in Papamoa.

Members of a Papamoa Facebook group mentioned they felt the earthquake, which happened at 11.40am.

GeoNet locates the 3.1 magnitude earthquake 55km north east of Whitianga and at a depth of 29km.

GeoNet has 12 people also reporting that they felt the mid-morning quake. They are near Waitara, near Marton, Levin and Porirua in the North Island.

It was also reported have been felt in Blenheim, near Gore Bay, Culverden and a little further south at Hawarden and Waikari also on North Canterbury.