Aftershocks continue to rattle Fiordland following this month's monster earthquake, and may continue to shake the deep south for some time.
Hundreds of aftershocks are being recorded following the 7.8 magnitude quake nearly two weeks ago in an isolated and sparsely populated part of Fiordland.
It was the biggest New Zealand quake since the Buller and Hawke's Bay earthquakes of 1929 and 1931.
The latest rumble was a 4.7 magnitude quake, 15km deep and 90km west of Te Anau, about 6am today. It may have been felt in southern Fiordland.
According to GNS Science it was the 21st aftershock recorded above 4.4 magnitude.
Senior seismologist Warwick Smith said the aftershocks were "still banging away", but if anything there were fewer than might have been expected.
There was no way of predicting how long they would last.
Aftershocks from the 1931 Hawke's Bay quake were felt for months afterwards, he said.
Dr Smith said the quakes were expected to get less frequent but they would not tail off in size.
It could be very unsettling for people who had experienced the big one to continue to feel the earth move, he said.
The July 16, 7.8 magnitude quake twisted the South Island out of shape and moved it closer to Australia.
Puysegur Point, at the southwest tip of the South Island, is now 300mm closer to Australia.
NZPA