WELLINGTON - A 6.5 magnitude earthquake shook New Zealand capital Wellington on Sunday afternoon, following an earlier 5.8 quake on Sunday morning and a swarm of smaller quakes throughout the day.

New Zealand government geological agency GNS Science said the 6. 5 quake occurred at 05:09 p.m.(05:09 GMT) and was centered 30km east of Seddon, near Blenheim, at a depth of 17km.

The 5.8 quake was centered 30km east of Seddon, near Blenheim, at a depth of 19km at 07:17 a.m. local time.