Magnitude 5.1 quake in NZ South Island

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake has been recorded 125km west of Tuatapere, on the South Island of New Zealand.

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake has been recorded 125km west of Tuatapere in the deep south. (AAP)

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake has been recorded 125km west of Tuatapere in the deep south.

The quake hit at 8.25am local time on Friday at a depth of about 11km, GeoNet says.

It said the intensity was severe, but so far only 14 people around Southland have said they felt the quake and 10 rated it as light.