Earthquakes in New Zealand
No events have been recorded in New Zealand in the past 30 days, though the great majority are too small to be felt at the surface. New Zealand sits on the Pacific Ring of Fire, and the depth distribution below shows the subducting slab beneath it directly.
3 earthquakes have been recorded in New Zealand in our catalogue, 0 of them in the past 30 days.
The average magnitude is 4.5 and the average focal depth 148 km. 3 events reached magnitude 4 or above, but none reached magnitude 5.
The strongest earthquake recorded in New Zealand in this period was a magnitude 4.8 event near Maketu, New Zealand on 17 December 2024, at a depth of 198 km. A magnitude 4.8 earthquake radiates roughly 239 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
Locations recording the most events include Kohuratahi (1), Maketu (1).
33% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 67% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). A substantial share of intermediate-depth events points to a subducting slab beneath the region rather than purely crustal faulting.
The deepest event on record here was a magnitude 4.2 earthquake at 219 km beneath Kohuratahi, New Zealand on 24 December 2024.
By band, the catalogue holds 3 in the magnitude 4 range.
The busiest single day was 17 December 2024, with 2 recorded events.
No event in this record carries a USGS link to NOAA tsunami information.
All recorded earthquakes in New Zealand
3 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2 | Kohuratahi, New Zealand | 219.1 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Maketu, New Zealand | 198.4 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Witherlea, New Zealand | 25.9 | New Zealand | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes have there been in New Zealand?
3 earthquakes are recorded in New Zealand in our catalogue, including 0 in the past 30 days and 3 of magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in New Zealand?
The largest recorded here was a magnitude 4.8 event near Maketu, New Zealand on 17 December 2024.
Is New Zealand at risk of earthquakes?
Earthquake hazard depends on proximity to active faults and plate boundaries rather than on national borders. The record for New Zealand shows 3 events of magnitude 4 or above, which is the band at which shaking becomes widely noticeable. Consult your national seismic hazard agency for building-code and preparedness guidance.
Earthquakes in New Zealand by month
Event counts for New Zealand reflect seismic network density as well as genuine activity. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.