Minor tremors are common in all locations in New Zealand. How they are felt has as much to do with the building (or location) you are in as with soil structure and tectonics.
Having lived through all significant events in Christchurch (Sept 2010, Feb 2011, June 2011 and Dec 2011) I am far more confident of surviving one here in Christchurch than in any other city in New Zealand thanks to rebuilds compliant with new requirements for foundations post 2011 here.
Wellington suffered in the 2016 Kaikoura quake whereas nothing was damaged in Christchurch, despite the distance from Kaikoura being the same. Part (perhaps a small part) of the reason is the quality of new building foundations in CHCH post-2011.
Having lived through all significant events in Christchurch (Sept 2010, Feb 2011, June 2011 and Dec 2011) I am far more confident of surviving one here in Christchurch than in any other city in New Zealand thanks to rebuilds compliant with new requirements for foundations post 2011 here.
Wellington suffered in the 2016 Kaikoura quake whereas nothing was damaged in Christchurch, despite the distance from Kaikoura being the same. Part (perhaps a small part) of the reason is the quality of new building foundations in CHCH post-2011.