Magnitude 5.8 quake rocks New Zealand

A magnitude 5.8 quake rocked much of New Zealand Saturday, shaking many people awake and toppling items from shelves but there were no immediate reports of damage or injury. The quake, which struck at 7.19 am (1819 Friday GMT), occurred 175 kilometres below the surface and was centered 20 kilometres south-east of Tokoroa in the central North Island, the state GeoNet reported. According to dpa, news reports said it was felt strongly over much of the North Island and as a light tremor at the bottom of the South Island. GeoNet recorded a string of minor tremors in the same region after the big quake.