Earthquakes in New Zealand — March 2026
7 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during March 2026, an average of 0.2 per day.
6 reached magnitude 4 or above and 4 reached magnitude 5 or above. The average focal depth was 65 km.
The month's largest event in New Zealand was a magnitude 5.7 earthquake near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 31 March 2026 at 19:24 UTC. A magnitude 5.7 earthquake radiates roughly 5,351 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 9 recorded the previous month.
71% of events here are shallow (under 70 km), 29% 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 1 in the magnitude 3 range, 2 in the magnitude 4 range, 4 in the magnitude 5 range.
The month's largest events were M5.7 near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 31 March at 143 km; M5.3 near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 06 March at 52 km; M5.3 near Bluff, New Zealand on 03 March at 10 km.
That is 23% below the 9 events New Zealand averages per month across the 21 months on record.
Largest earthquakes in New Zealand, March 2026
7 events listed below, newest first. Times are UTC. Click any column header to re-sort.
| Time (UTC) | Mag | Location | Depth (km) | Country | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.7 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 143.4 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.3 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 51.9 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.3 | Bluff, New Zealand | 10.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 5.0 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 10.0 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.9 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 131.2 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 4.7 | Kermadec Islands, New Zealand | 55.2 | New Zealand | View details View | |
| 3.8 | Waipawa, New Zealand | 54.4 | New Zealand | View details View |
Frequently asked questions
How many earthquakes hit New Zealand in March 2026?
7 earthquakes were recorded in New Zealand during March 2026, of which 6 were magnitude 4 or above.
What was the biggest earthquake in New Zealand in March 2026?
A magnitude 5.7 event near Kermadec Islands, New Zealand on 31 March 2026.
Other months in New Zealand
Magnitudes for March 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.