Wellington - A series of eight earthquakes in 13 hours rattled the central region of New Zealand's North Island on Saturday, seismologists at GNS Science reported.

The quakes ranged in magnitude from 2.6 to 4.4 on the Richter scale but all were shallow - one only 2 kilometres below the surface - meaning they were widely felt in the area.

All were centred within 5 to 10 kilometres of the town of Turangi, situated halfway between the capital Wellington and the nation's biggest city, Auckland.

GNS Science spokesman Arthur Jolly said the region had been active for several weeks and the swarm was not unusual.

There were no reports of injury or damage. (dpa)