4.4-magnitude quake hits New Zealand's lower North Island

　　WELLINGTON, March 28 (Xinhua) -- An earthquake with a magnitude of 4.4 jolted New Zealand's lower North Island on Friday, according to GeoNet, the country's geological hazard monitoring system.

　　The quake occurred at 12:59 local time and was centered 20 km south-west of Levin, seat of Horowhenua District in the North Island, at a depth of 35 km.

　　Thousands of people, primarily in the lower North Island and upper South Island, reported feeling the shaking to GeoNet. There have been no reports of casualties or property damage.

　　It followed a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake that struck the waters off southern New Zealand on Tuesday. ■