Earthquake hits New Zealand as death toll rises to five in wake of Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle

Former tropical cyclone Gabrielle has caused landslides and flooding up and down the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. (Supplied: New Zealand Defence Force)

An earthquake has struck near New Zealand's capital Wellington, as the country grapples with widespread landslides and flooding in the wake of former tropical cyclone Gabrielle.

The earthquake hit just hours after authorities announced that five people, including a child, had died in the aftermath of the cyclone, described as the country's "most destructive weather event in decades".