New Zealand Earthquakes
Recent and significant earthquakes in New Zealand, drawn from the USGS global earthquake feed and mapped with magnitude and time.
Current earthquakes in New Zealand (0)
New Zealand has recorded 8 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days.
No active items in this snapshot
That is normal. Conditions can change, so check official local guidance when weather is developing.
No active items in this snapshot
That is normal. Conditions can change, so check official local guidance when weather is developing.
New Zealand map
Recent earthquake history
New Zealand has recorded 8 earthquakes of magnitude 5 or greater in the past 90 days.
Notable earthquakes in New Zealand (last 5 years)
| Magnitude | Location | Date |
|---|---|---|
| M7.1 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | Apr 24, 2023 |
| M6.9 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | Mar 4, 2023 |
| M6.7 | 170 km WSW of Riverton, New Zealand | Mar 25, 2025 |
| M6.6 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | Mar 2, 2022 |
| M6.2 | 213 km WSW of Riverton, New Zealand | Jul 7, 2025 |
| M6.2 | 285 km SW of Bluff, New Zealand | Apr 29, 2025 |
Frequently asked questions
- How often does New Zealand have earthquakes?
- New Zealand recorded 8 earthquakes of magnitude 5.0 or greater in the past 90 days. Over the last 5 years it has averaged about 29.6 notable quakes (magnitude 5.0 or greater) per year.
- What was the largest recent earthquake in New Zealand?
- The largest earthquake in New Zealand in the last 5 years was a magnitude 7.1 near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand.
- When was the last major earthquake in New Zealand?
- The most recent earthquake of magnitude 5.0 or greater in New Zealand was a magnitude 5.2 near 70 km NNW of Arthurs Point, New Zealand.
- What magnitude earthquake can you feel?
- Most people begin to feel earthquakes around magnitude 3.0, though it depends on depth and distance. Shallow quakes close by feel stronger than deep or distant ones of the same size.
About earthquakes in New Zealand
Most earthquakes are too small to feel. The USGS reports millions of quakes a year worldwide, and the vast majority are below magnitude 2.5. A page showing no recent activity usually means no notable quakes, not that nothing is being measured.
Magnitude is a measure of the energy released at the source; shaking you actually feel also depends on depth and how far you are from the epicenter. A shallow magnitude 4 nearby can feel stronger than a deep magnitude 5 far away.
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