New Zealand

New Zealand – Earthquakes

Live map, statistics and recent events

Open history map Latest in this country
Quakes this month
43
Latest UTC: 2026-10-19 17:27:58
Strongest
M5.9
Gisborne District
Country rank
#18
596 quakes in 2026 · out of 18 countries
Averages
M3.45 · 71 km
Avg this month: M3.53

Seismic profile

Analysis period05 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026Data as of: 05 Oct 2026 · 16:00 UTC
Minimum magnitude

The last update is over two hours old. The figures reflect the data timestamp shown below.

What the data show

New Zealand · M ≥ 2.0

After source reconciliation, the catalogue contains 728 event entries of M2.0 or above for this area and period, spread over 287 days.

Catalogue entries72805 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026
Strongest recorded earthquakeM5.9Fiordland Community ↗
Depth · median39.7 km728 events with valid depth
Last 30 days69Previous 30 days: 87

These figures describe the stored catalogue. Recording, magnitude types and geographic attribution may vary by source and period; completeness has not been established.

05 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026

Earthquakes by month

M ≥ 2.0

Each bar counts events within the selected period. Hatched months are only partially included.

View data table
MonthAnalysis periodCatalogue entries
October 2025 · Partial month05 Oct 2025 – 31 Oct 202561
November 202501 Nov 2025 – 30 Nov 202555
December 202501 Dec 2025 – 31 Dec 202557
January 202601 Jan 2026 – 31 Jan 202671
February 202601 Feb 2026 – 28 Feb 202663
March 202601 Mar 2026 – 31 Mar 202616
April 202601 Apr 2026 – 30 Apr 202625
May 202601 May 2026 – 31 May 202647
June 202601 Jun 2026 – 30 Jun 202658
July 202601 Jul 2026 – 31 Jul 2026106
August 202601 Aug 2026 – 31 Aug 202670
September 202601 Sep 2026 – 30 Sep 202691
October 2026 · Partial month01 Oct 2026 – 05 Oct 20268

How strong were the earthquakes?

Catalogue entries · 728

M 2.0 – < 3.03
M 3.0 – < 4.0653
M 4.0 – < 5.063
M 5.0 – < 6.09
M ≥ 6.00

At what depth did they occur?

728 events with valid depth

0 – < 30 km313
30 – < 70 km154
70 – < 300 km249
300 – 750 km12

0 events without valid depth are excluded here.

Depth · median

Half of the available values lie on either side of the median; ties are possible.

Current period in context

Last 30 days69
Previous 30 days87
Median of the eleven previous 30-day periods60

Same magnitude threshold, separate periods. Differences may also reflect changes in recording. No hazard level or forecast is inferred.

Where were earthquakes recorded?

Area selection: stored country code. Events without country attribution and events outside this country are excluded, even if felt there.

The interactive map complements the event links on this page.

Marker size and colour indicate magnitude.

Strongest recorded earthquake

05 Oct 2025 – 05 Oct 2026 · M ≥ 2.0

Data and methodology

Analysis period: 05 Oct 2025 16:00 – 05 Oct 2026 16:00 UTC

Data and methodology

Reports are first reconciled using existing event associations. Additional reports from different sources are consolidated only when every pair is within 5 seconds, 10 km and 0.5 magnitude units, source groups do not overlap and exactly one group matches. Ambiguous cases remain separate. The preferred report determines magnitude, time and area; period and magnitude filters are applied afterwards. The start is included and the end excluded (UTC).

9 additional source reports were consolidated during source reconciliation.

Area selection: stored country code. Events without country attribution and events outside this country are excluded, even if felt there.

These figures describe the stored catalogue. Recording, magnitude types and geographic attribution may vary by source and period; completeness has not been established.

Source reports used

The preferred report of each group is counted. Source priority follows the earthquake list. Different magnitude types and recording gaps limit comparability.

  • EMSC696
  • USGS30
  • GFZ1
  • RESIF1

The profile is recalculated hourly from the earthquake catalogue. Later source revisions may also change historical values.

Data as of: 05 Oct 2026 · 16:32 UTC

Overview – New Zealand

The latest recorded earthquake in New Zealand was on 2026-10-19 at 17:27 UTC in Manawatū-Whanganui with magnitude M4.0.

In the current month, 43 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand with an average magnitude of 3.53.

Most earthquakes in 2026 occurred in Southland (131), followed by Bay of Plenty (91).

The strongest recorded earthquake in New Zealand reached magnitude M5.9 on 2026-08-02.

In 2026, 99% of events were M≥3 and 2% were M≥5.

All-time events
1114
Strongest
M5.9
Latest (UTC)
2026-10-19 09:20:13 UTC

Map – New Zealand

Markers show the latest 30 earthquakes in New Zealand.

Strongest – New Zealand

Open event
M5.9 Gisborne District
UTC: 2026-08-02 08:35:26 UTC · Depth: 47 km

Recent earthquakes – New Zealand

Showing the latest 30 events from the QuakeMap24 database (UTC).

Open full list
M4.0 Depth: 19 km
Open event ↗

Manawatū-Whanganui · Tararua District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-19 17:27:58 UTC
Coordinates -40.533, 176.406
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.2 Depth: 18 km
Open event ↗

Manawatū-Whanganui

Time (UTC) 2026-10-19 09:20:13 UTC
Coordinates -40.627, 176.496
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.6 Depth: 15 km
Open event ↗

Manawatū-Whanganui · Tararua District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-19 08:56:51 UTC
Coordinates -40.541, 176.413
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M4.0 Depth: 27 km
Open event ↗

Hawke's Bay

Time (UTC) 2026-10-18 22:54:56 UTC
Coordinates -39.699, 177.094
Source emsc

OFF E. COAST OF N. ISLAND, N.Z.

M3.1 Depth: 114 km
Open event ↗

Bay of Plenty

Time (UTC) 2026-10-18 20:04:27 UTC
Coordinates -37.327, 177.262
Source emsc

OFF E. COAST OF N. ISLAND, N.Z.

M3.2 Depth: 191 km
Open event ↗

Waikato · South Waikato District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-18 19:36:28 UTC
Coordinates -38.236, 176.021
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.2 Depth: 297 km
Open event ↗

Bay of Plenty

Time (UTC) 2026-10-18 15:42:44 UTC
Coordinates -37.389, 176.912
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.0 Depth: 99 km
Open event ↗

Tasman · Tasman District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-18 05:31:30 UTC
Coordinates -41.693, 172.232
Source emsc

SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.3 Depth: 241 km
Open event ↗

Waikato · South Waikato District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-17 15:06:19 UTC
Coordinates -37.980, 175.882
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.3 Depth: 34 km
Open event ↗

Gisborne

Time (UTC) 2026-10-17 04:32:04 UTC
Coordinates -38.848, 178.010
Source emsc

OFF E. COAST OF N. ISLAND, N.Z.

M3.0 Depth: 153 km
Open event ↗

Bay of Plenty · Whakatāne District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-17 03:51:08 UTC
Coordinates -38.519, 176.967
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.1 Depth: 6 km
Open event ↗

Canterbury · Ashburton District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-16 14:11:43 UTC
Coordinates -43.686, 171.097
Source emsc

SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.0 Depth: 39 km
Open event ↗

Bay of Plenty

Time (UTC) 2026-10-16 10:56:30 UTC
Coordinates -37.502, 178.001
Source emsc

OFF E. COAST OF N. ISLAND, N.Z.

M3.7 Depth: 18 km
Open event ↗

Canterbury · Hurunui District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-16 05:53:16 UTC
Coordinates -42.611, 172.787
Source emsc

SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M4.0 Depth: 8 km
Open event ↗

Canterbury · Hurunui District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-16 04:00:33 UTC
Coordinates -42.518, 172.749
Source emsc

SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.4 Depth: 64 km
Open event ↗

Southland · Fiordland Community

Time (UTC) 2026-10-15 15:19:01 UTC
Coordinates -45.034, 167.484
Source emsc

SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M5.3 Depth: 286 km
Open event ↗

Waikato · Maniaiti / Benneydale

Time (UTC) 2026-10-15 05:25:32 UTC
Coordinates -38.548, 175.381
Source usgs

43 km SSE of Otorohanga, New Zealand

M3.2 Depth: 177 km
Open event ↗

Bay of Plenty

Time (UTC) 2026-10-14 15:16:05 UTC
Coordinates -37.506, 176.562
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.2 Depth: 25 km
Open event ↗

Southland · Fiordland Community

Time (UTC) 2026-10-13 14:27:14 UTC
Coordinates -45.284, 167.152
Source emsc

SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M2.9 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Waikato · Okauia

Time (UTC) 2026-10-12 15:19:34 UTC
Coordinates -37.778, 175.841
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.5 Depth: 143 km
Open event ↗

Manawatū-Whanganui · Ruapehu District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-12 15:14:46 UTC
Coordinates -39.229, 175.000
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.9 Depth: 26 km
Open event ↗

Manawatū-Whanganui · Tararua District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-12 06:52:19 UTC
Coordinates -40.638, 175.850
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.0 Depth: 311 km
Open event ↗

Bay of Plenty · Western Bay of Plenty District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-11 13:23:56 UTC
Coordinates -37.809, 175.998
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M4.2 Depth: 46 km
Open event ↗

Bay of Plenty

Time (UTC) 2026-10-11 00:40:27 UTC
Coordinates -37.478, 178.067
Source emsc

OFF E. COAST OF N. ISLAND, N.Z.

M3.1 Depth: 38 km
Open event ↗

Gisborne · Hicks Bay

Time (UTC) 2026-10-10 20:37:12 UTC
Coordinates -37.594, 178.261
Source emsc

OFF E. COAST OF N. ISLAND, N.Z.

M3.1 Depth: 10 km
Open event ↗

Canterbury · Waitaki District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-09 23:44:21 UTC
Coordinates -45.328, 170.401
Source emsc

SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.0 Depth: 5 km
Open event ↗

Southland · Fiordland Community

Time (UTC) 2026-10-09 08:40:39 UTC
Coordinates -44.430, 168.215
Source emsc

SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M4.1 Depth: 5 km
Open event ↗

Manawatū-Whanganui · Ruapehu District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-08 13:53:17 UTC
Coordinates -38.992, 175.238
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.6 Depth: 145 km
Open event ↗

Tasman · Tasman District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-08 09:09:06 UTC
Coordinates -41.209, 172.786
Source emsc

SOUTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

M3.5 Depth: 34 km
Open event ↗

Bay of Plenty · Whakatāne District

Time (UTC) 2026-10-08 09:04:56 UTC
Coordinates -38.557, 176.700
Source emsc

NORTH ISLAND OF NEW ZEALAND

Top regions – New Zealand

Regions are derived from the most specific available location fields (e.g. state, then city).

  1. Southland
    Events: 210
  2. Bay of Plenty
    Events: 165
  3. Manawatū-Whanganui
    Events: 144
  4. Waikato
    Events: 104
  5. Hawke's Bay
    Events: 84

FAQ – New Zealand

What is the latest recorded earthquake in New Zealand?
The newest entry in our database for New Zealand is dated 2026-10-19 09:20:13 UTC.
What was the strongest recorded earthquake in New Zealand?
The strongest recorded event in our database for New Zealand reached magnitude M5.9.
How many earthquakes are recorded for New Zealand?
QuakeMap24 currently contains 1114 recorded earthquakes for New Zealand (all-time, based on our database).
What are typical average magnitude and depth in New Zealand?
Across all recorded events in New Zealand, the average magnitude is M3.45 and the average depth is 71 km.
Why do some events show city/state/village and others only a place name?
Locality labels depend on the available source data. Some providers deliver precise administrative levels; others provide a broader place description.
How can I explore more than the last 30 events?
Use the country history page for New Zealand to explore earthquake activity with filters.
How often is this page updated?
The content is generated from the QuakeMap24 database and refreshes as new events are ingested. Timestamps are shown in UTC for consistency.

Regions · New Zealand

Significant historical earthquakes – New Zealand

with casualties or damage

  1. 1931 Hawke Bay M7.7 261 deaths 25 M USD tsunami
  2. 2011 Christchurch, Lyttelton M6.1 185 deaths 15'000 M USD tsunami
  3. 1929 South Island M7.5 17 deaths tsunami
  4. 1968 South Island: Nw Coast M7.1 3 deaths 3 M USD
  5. 1848 Awatere River, Marlborough M6.0 3 deaths tsunami
  6. 2016 Amberley M7.8 2 deaths 3'900 M USD tsunami
  7. 2011 South Island: Canterbury M6.0 1 deaths 3'000 M USD
  8. 1987 North Island, Whakatani, Edgecumbe M6.6 1 deaths 210 M USD

Country history – New Zealand

Explore earthquake history with filters (magnitude, depth, date range).

Open history map