Just to add a bit of spice to the night there was a 6.4 magnitude earthquake that shook the lower South Island. Dr Bill Fry, siesmologist with GNS Science keeps us updated.

A large earthquake struck offshore near New Zealand on Tuesday night, causing shaking in Invercargill and Dunedin.

GeoNet has confirmed a the earthquake was magnitude 6.4. United State Geological Survey (USGS) had initially put the quake at 6.8.

The quake was followed later by two tremors near Seddon, near the top of the South Island, about 3am on Wednesday morning. A magnitude 4.2 quake followed an earlier 2.5 tremor.

GEONET The earthquake was 34 kilometres deep, 190 km south-west of Snare's Island.

Did you feel the earthquakes? Send your newstips, photos and videos to newstips@stuff.co.nz

READ MORE: Quakes rattle Marlborough, Wellington region

The magnitude 6.4 quake, which struck just after 7pm on Tuesday, was centred more than 200 kilometres offshore from New Zealand past the Auckland Islands.

The earthquake was 34 kilometres deep, 190 km south-west of Snares Island.

Civil Defence said there was no tsunami threat to New Zealand.

No injuries or damage had been reported, but the earthquake was felt widely across the lower South Island.

"I live in Invercargill and I felt it swaying and at first didn't click, but it got a little stronger and definitely lasted a bit," said Tracey Adams.

"Felt it and heard it. The washing rack hanging from the ceiling was rocking for ages afterwards. Drummond, Southland," said Andy Watt.

Nearly 2000 people reported to the Geonet website that they felt the magnitude 6.4 earthquake.