Earthquakes in New Zealand — May 2025
11 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during May 2025, an average of 0.4 per day.
10 reached magnitude 4 or above and 2 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 71 km.
The month's largest event in New Zealand was a magnitude 5.3 earthquake near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 19 May 2025 at 05:48 UTC. A magnitude 5.3 earthquake radiates roughly 1,344 tons of TNT equivalent in seismic energy.
That is close to the New Zealand monthly average of 9 events over the period we cover, and up from the 10 recorded the previous month.
64% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 36% 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.
By band, the catalogue holds 1 in the magnitude 3 range, 8 in the magnitude 4 range, 2 in the magnitude 5 range.
The month's largest events were M5.3 near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 19 May at 10 km; M5.1 near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 29 May at 10 km; M4.9 near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 16 May at 64 km.
That is 22% above the 9 events New Zealand averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in New Zealand, May 2025
11 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.3 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 10.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.1 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 10.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 64.2 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 200.2 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.8 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 73.9 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.7 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 131.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.7 | Hicks Bay, New Zealand | 57.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Wainui, New Zealand | 12.7 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Whakatane, New Zealand | 160.8 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Foxton Beach, New Zealand | 46.1 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 3.6 | Patea, New Zealand | 10.0 | New Zealand | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit New Zealand in May 2025?
11 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during May 2025, of which 10 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in New Zealand in May 2025?
A magnitude 5.3 event near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 19 May 2025.
Other months in New Zealand
Magnitudes for May 2025 reflect the current USGS review status and may have been revised since first publication. See our guides on the magnitude scale, focal depth and why earthquakes cluster.