Earthquakes in New Zealand — August 2025
7 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during August 2025, an average of 0.2 per day.
6 reached magnitude 4 or above and 1 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 98 km.
The month's largest event in New Zealand was a magnitude 5.0 earthquake near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 22 August 2025 at 09:33 UTC. A magnitude 5.0 earthquake radiates roughly 477 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 down from the 16 recorded the previous month.
43% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 57% 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, 5 in the magnitude 4 range, 1 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 30 August, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.0 near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 22 August at 35 km; M4.9 near Hicks Bay, New Zealand on 11 August at 112 km; M4.9 near Raureka, New Zealand on 13 August at 38 km.
That is 23% below the 9 events New Zealand averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in New Zealand, August 2025
7 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 35.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Waikawa, New Zealand | 77.9 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Raureka, New Zealand | 38.2 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Hicks Bay, New Zealand | 111.6 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.6 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 259.7 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Whakatane, New Zealand | 148.7 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 3.0 | Papanui, New Zealand | 13.6 | New Zealand | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit New Zealand in August 2025?
7 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during August 2025, of which 6 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in New Zealand in August 2025?
A magnitude 5.0 event near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 22 August 2025.
Other months in New Zealand
Magnitudes for August 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.