Magnitude 5.5 earthquake hits New Zealand

An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale jolted New Zealand's North Island Tuesday, a media report said.

The tremor hit the area at 2.41 am, stuff.co.nz reported citing GeoNet that provides real-time monitoring and data collection in New Zealand for rapid response and research into earthquake, volcano, landslide and tsunami hazards.

No loss of life and damage to property reported.

The epicentre of the quake was 15km west of Pongaroa in the lower North Island.