Resident near Taupo had a shaky evening after a 2.9 magnitude earthquake hit the region.

GeoNet is reporting the quake hit about 8.57pm and was centred 15km north-east of Taupo.

A shallow earthquake hit the Taupo region about 9pm. File photo.

It had a focal depth of 8km.

Some South Islanders also had an unsettled night with a 2.8 magnitude earthquake hitting the Seddon region about 11.19pm.

GeoNet says the quake was centred 5km south-east of Seddon and had a focal depth of 23km.

A stronger earthquake, measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale, hit the Seddon region about 5.30am.

GeoNet is describing the earthquake as moderate.