Earthquakes in New Zealand — September 2025
8 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during September 2025, an average of 0.3 per day.
8 reached magnitude 4 or above and 3 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 63 km.
The month's largest event in New Zealand was a magnitude 5.2 earthquake near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 30 September 2025 at 23:29 UTC. A magnitude 5.2 earthquake radiates roughly 951 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 7 recorded the previous month.
75% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 25% intermediate (70–300 km) and 0% deep-focus (over 300 km). The mix is dominated by shallow crustal events, with a minority of intermediate-depth activity.
By band, the catalogue holds 5 in the magnitude 4 range, 3 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 08 September, when 2 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.2 near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 30 September at 16 km; M5.2 near Auckland Islands, New Zealand on 08 September at 14 km; M5.1 near Hicks Bay, New Zealand on 06 September at 38 km.
That is 12% below the 9 events New Zealand averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in New Zealand, September 2025
8 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.2 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 15.8 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.2 | Auckland Islands, New Zealand | 14.3 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.1 | Hicks Bay, New Zealand | 38.2 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.7 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 35.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Marybank, New Zealand | 126.3 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.3 | Riverton, New Zealand | 62.9 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Maketu, New Zealand | 201.4 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.2 | Motueka, New Zealand | 6.2 | New Zealand | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit New Zealand in September 2025?
8 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during September 2025, of which 8 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in New Zealand in September 2025?
A magnitude 5.2 event near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 30 September 2025.
Other months in New Zealand
Magnitudes for September 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.