Earthquakes in New Zealand — January 2026
10 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during January 2026, an average of 0.3 per day.
10 reached magnitude 4 or above and 7 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 53 km.
The month's largest event in New Zealand was a magnitude 5.4 earthquake near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 26 January 2026 at 11:25 UTC. A magnitude 5.4 earthquake radiates roughly 1,898 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 4 recorded the previous month.
70% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 30% 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 3 in the magnitude 4 range, 7 in the magnitude 5 range.
Activity peaked on 26 January, when 3 events were recorded.
The month's largest events were M5.4 near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 26 January at 14 km; M5.4 near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 26 January at 10 km; M5.3 near Bluff, New Zealand on 18 January at 19 km.
That is close to the 9 events New Zealand averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in New Zealand, January 2026
10 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.4 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 10.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.4 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 14.1 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.3 | Bluff, New Zealand | 18.9 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.2 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 35.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.2 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 10.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.2 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 70.1 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.0 | Patea, New Zealand | 115.2 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Castlepoint, New Zealand | 22.8 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.5 | Foxton Beach, New Zealand | 19.1 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.4 | Maketu, New Zealand | 214.2 | New Zealand | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit New Zealand in January 2026?
10 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during January 2026, of which 10 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in New Zealand in January 2026?
A magnitude 5.4 event near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 26 January 2026.
Other months in New Zealand
Magnitudes for January 2026 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.