More than 6300 people throughout New Zealand have reported feeling a 5.3 magnitude earthquake this morning.

The tremor, described as 'severe” by GeoNet, struck 20km southwest of Seddon in Marlborough at a depth of 13km at 12.17am on Friday.

More than 6300 people registered feeling it with more than 400 saying it was at least strong.

'That was quite a rattle - hope everyone is ok. Remember, drop, cover and hold in an earthquake,” GeoNet tweeted after the quake.

There has been no reports of damages and GeoNet says the quake is an aftershock from the 7.8 Kaikoura quake.

Our Duty officer has reviewed that last quake: an M5.3 causing severe shaking, 20 Kms south-west of Seddon #eqnz: https://t.co/rcJUx1qNpC

— GeoNet (@geonet) January 5, 2017