Over the past 30 days, New Zealand has recorded 16 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater in our tracker. 2 reached magnitude 5.0 or higher. 14 landed between M4.0 and M4.9. By depth: 11 shallow (<70 km), 5 intermediate (70–300 km). 9 of the epicenters were offshore. 7 events produced at least one felt report, totalling 58 citizen submissions to the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Cluster detection flagged 1 aftershock sequence; the largest contained 3 smaller events within 20 km and 72 hours of its mainshock. Focal depths ranged from 10.0 km to 293.1 km. All 16 solutions have been reviewed by a USGS seismologist.
Leading the list is a magnitude 5.8 event near 127 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand at 10.0 km depth, which drew 42 felt reports from the public and triggered a green PAGER alert. The second-ranked event, at magnitude 5.1 near 16 km N of Hicks Bay, New Zealand, trails by 0.7 magnitude units — a meaningful gap that makes the leader clearly dominant in energy release. Rounding out the top three is a magnitude 4.9 earthquake near 62 km WNW of Turangi, New Zealand.
Each row in the table below includes a narrative summary of the event, ordered by time. Use the column headers to sort or filter by magnitude.
| Time ↓ | Mag ↕ | Location ↕ | Depth ↕ | Felt ↕ | MMI | Alert | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
3 days ago 2026-05-17 03:20:37 UTC | 4.5mb | 132 km SSE of Wainui, New Zealand -39.696°, 178.891° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.5 earthquake 132 km SSE of Wainui, New Zealand at 03:20 UTC on May 17, 2026. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. Coordinates: -39.696°, 178.891°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
4 days ago 2026-05-16 15:48:22 UTC | 4.4mb | 95 km NNE of Maketu, New Zealand -37.027°, 177.006° | 293.1 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Reports of a magnitude 4.4 earthquake 95 km NNE of Maketu, New Zealand came in on May 16, 2026 at 15:48 UTC. At 293.1 km, this is the deepest earthquake in the current dataset — firmly in the intermediate depth category. Geolocation places the event at -37.027°N, 177.006°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
4 days ago 2026-05-16 06:34:13 UTC | 4.4mb | 34 km SE of Witherlea, New Zealand -41.764°, 174.229° | 20.6 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.4 seismic event took place 34 km SE of Witherlea, New Zealand on May 16, 2026 at 06:34 UTC. A small number of nearby observers (1) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The hypocenter lay at 20.6 km, placing this in the shallow crustal category. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Coordinates: -41.764°, 174.229°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-12 2026-05-12 12:42:16 UTC | 4.2mb | 5 km N of Normanby, New Zealand -39.481°, 174.279° | 207.6 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 12:42 UTC on May 12, 2026, a magnitude 4.2 tremor occurred 5 km N of Normanby, New Zealand. The event originated approximately 207.6 km below the surface, classifying it as intermediate depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Coordinates: -39.481°, 174.279°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-12 2026-05-12 09:02:57 UTC | 4.3mb | 23 km SW of Owhiro Bay, New Zealand -41.490°, 174.563° | 24.8 km | 1 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 12, 2026 at 09:02 UTC, a magnitude 4.3 earthquake struck 23 km SW of Owhiro Bay, New Zealand. A small number of nearby observers (1) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The event originated approximately 24.8 km below the surface, classifying it as shallow crustal. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Geolocation places the event at -41.490°N, 174.563°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-10 2026-05-10 00:44:25 UTC | 4.2mb | 32 km E of Dannevirke, New Zealand -40.218°, 176.479° | 27.4 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
The USGS recorded this magnitude 4.2 earthquake 32 km E of Dannevirke, New Zealand at 00:44 UTC on May 10, 2026. This was a shallow crustal earthquake, focused at 27.4 km depth. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. The epicenter is at -40.218°, 176.479°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.2 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-09 2026-05-09 21:52:46 UTC | 4.9mb | 62 km WNW of Turangi, New Zealand -38.790°, 175.135° | 227.2 km | 1 | II | green | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.9 earthquake 62 km WNW of Turangi, New Zealand with origin time 21:52 UTC on May 9, 2026. The USGS PAGER system assigned a green alert level for this event, signalling no significant casualties or damage expected. Peak ground motion corresponded to MMI 2.6, classified as weak shaking. It ranks as the third largest event in the current dataset. A small number of nearby observers (1) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The event originated approximately 227.2 km below the surface, classifying it as intermediate depth. Coordinates: -38.790°, 175.135°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-08 2026-05-08 17:54:47 UTC | 4.7mb | 103 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand -36.648°, 176.935° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
At 17:54 UTC on May 8, 2026, a magnitude 4.7 tremor occurred 103 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. It ranks as the fifth largest event in the current dataset. Geolocation places the event at -36.648°N, 176.935°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.7 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-06 2026-05-06 09:09:05 UTC | 4.3mb | 77 km NW of Hicks Bay, New Zealand -37.053°, 177.755° | 157.5 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 4.3 earthquake was recorded 77 km NW of Hicks Bay, New Zealand on May 6, 2026 at 09:09 UTC. This was a intermediate depth earthquake, focused at 157.5 km depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. Coordinates: -37.053°, 177.755°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-05 2026-05-05 17:10:58 UTC | 4.3mb | 133 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand -36.682°, 177.300° | 11.2 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
Seismographs logged a magnitude 4.3 earthquake 133 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand with origin time 17:10 UTC on May 5, 2026. It arrived roughly 9 hours after a larger magnitude 5.8 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. The hypocenter lay at 11.2 km, placing this in the shallow crustal category. The epicenter is at -36.682°, 177.300°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-05 2026-05-05 09:37:39 UTC | 4.5mwr | 129 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand -36.642°, 177.242° | 10.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
This magnitude 4.5 event was detected 129 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand on May 5, 2026, with origin time 09:37 UTC. It arrived roughly 2 hours after a larger magnitude 5.8 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. The epicenter is at -36.642°, 177.242°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.5 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-05 2026-05-05 08:43:45 UTC | 4.9mww | 136 km NW of Hicks Bay, New Zealand -36.641°, 177.333° | 10.0 km | 3 | II | green | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 5, 2026, New Zealand registered a magnitude 4.9 earthquake 136 km NW of Hicks Bay, New Zealand at 08:43 UTC. It arrived roughly 1 hours after a larger magnitude 5.8 mainshock in the same 20 km area, placing it within the typical aftershock window. The USGS PAGER system assigned a green alert level for this event, signalling no significant casualties or damage expected. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. Maximum shaking intensity peaked at MMI 2.7 (weak). It ranks as the fourth largest event in the current dataset. A small number of nearby observers (3) submitted felt reports to the USGS. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. The epicenter is at -36.641°, 177.333°. See the M4.9 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-05 2026-05-05 08:00:43 UTC | 5.8mww | 127 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand -36.745°, 177.262° | 10.0 km | 42 | III | green | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 5, 2026 at 08:00 UTC, a magnitude 5.8 earthquake struck 127 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand. In the 72 hours after this event, the USGS recorded 3 smaller earthquakes within 20 km, consistent with an ongoing aftershock sequence rooted here. Of every earthquake currently listed for New Zealand, this one generated the most felt reports from the public. The USGS PAGER system assigned a green alert level for this event, signalling no significant casualties or damage expected. It is the largest earthquake currently listed for New Zealand over the past 30 days. At just 10.0 km, it was the shallowest earthquake in the current dataset — a shallow crustal event. 42 people reported feeling the earthquake via the USGS Did You Feel It? system. Maximum shaking intensity peaked at MMI 3.7 (light). The epicenter is at -36.745°, 177.262°. See the M5.8 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-02 2026-05-02 21:19:12 UTC | 5.1mww | 16 km N of Hicks Bay, New Zealand -37.452°, 178.276° | 35.0 km | 7 | IV | green | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
A magnitude 5.1 earthquake was recorded 16 km N of Hicks Bay, New Zealand on May 2, 2026 at 21:19 UTC. The USGS PAGER system assigned a green alert level for this event, signalling no significant casualties or damage expected. On the Modified Mercalli scale, shaking reached 4.1 — considered moderate. It ranks as the second largest event in the current dataset. A small number of nearby observers (7) submitted felt reports to the USGS. At a depth of 35.0 km, the event was shallow crustal. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Geolocation places the event at -37.452°N, 178.276°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M5.1 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-05-02 2026-05-02 15:15:18 UTC | 4.3mb | 1 km NE of Grenada North, New Zealand -41.183°, 174.852° | 41.8 km | 3 | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
On May 2, 2026, New Zealand registered a magnitude 4.3 earthquake 1 km NE of Grenada North, New Zealand at 15:15 UTC. A small number of nearby observers (3) submitted felt reports to the USGS. At a depth of 41.8 km, the event was shallow crustal. The event was offshore — common for earthquakes along subduction zones and transform plate boundaries. Geolocation places the event at -41.183°N, 174.852°E. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.3 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
2026-04-22 2026-04-22 11:52:16 UTC | 4.4mb | 31 km NE of Maketu, New Zealand -37.582°, 176.727° | 170.0 km | - | - | - | ✓ Reviewed | USGS → |
April 22, 2026 brought a magnitude 4.4 earthquake 31 km NE of Maketu, New Zealand, logged at 11:52 UTC. At a depth of 170.0 km, the event was intermediate depth. The offshore location combined with this depth is characteristic of seismicity along descending slabs. The epicenter is at -37.582°, 176.727°. The solution has been reviewed by a USGS seismologist and is considered finalized. See the M4.4 event page for the full report, ShakeMap, and citizen-reported intensity data. | ||||||||
127 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand
2026-05-05
127 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand
2026-05-05
Data from USGS Earthquake Hazards Program. Updated every 5 minutes.
New Zealand lies along the boundary between the Pacific and Australian plates. The country experiences frequent earthquakes and has strict building codes.
In 2026, New Zealand has recorded 28 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5 or greater so far. The largest earthquake in New Zealand in 2026 was a magnitude 5.8 event near Pauanui, New Zealand. As of today, seismic monitoring continues with 0 earthquakes detected in the past 24 hours and 16 in the last 30 days.
New Zealand lies along the boundary between the Pacific and Australian plates. The country experiences frequent earthquakes and has strict building codes.
Over the past 30 days, there have been 16 recorded earthquakes in this region. The largest recent earthquake was a magnitude 5.8 event near 127 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand.
In the past 30 days, 16 earthquakes have been recorded in the New Zealand region. The number varies based on seismic activity in the area.
The largest recent earthquake in the New Zealand area was a magnitude 5.8 event that occurred 127 km ENE of Pauanui, New Zealand.
Residents should secure heavy furniture, create an emergency kit with supplies for 72 hours, develop a family communication plan, and practice "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" during earthquake drills. Visit our preparedness section for detailed guides.
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