A magnitude 5.8 earthquake has shaken Dunedin and most of the lower South Island.

The earthquake happened at 2.30 this afternoon, and was centred about 30 kilometres north-west of Wanaka.

It had a reported depth of 4kms, and lasted for almost a minute.

Police say there have been no reports of major incidents as a result of the quake, although several windows were broken in and around Wanaka.

And items were reportedly shaken off shelves in many towns.

There have since been two moderate earthquakes in the same location, each measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale.