The 8.1 magnitude quake was 17-kilometres deep.

Local authorities are currently assessing the possibility of a tsunami.

There's currently no warning for New Zealand.

>> More Environment News

Other Environment News

24 Dec: The South Island's West Coast is set to be lashed by rain this Christmas....for the rest of the country it's a mixed bag

24 Dec: Most of NZ’s flowering plants grow nowhere else – and Christmas falls in peak blooming season

24 Dec: Enjoy your Christmas cook up - but make sure it follows the rules

23 Dec: A new system to quickly open the flood prone Wairoa River to the sea is now up and running

23 Dec: Central New Zealand's in for wet and wild weather today

22 Dec: Wellington Water crews are responding to a wastewater overflow in Grenada Village which flows to the Porirua Stream

22 Dec: A call for New Zealanders to do the checks before hydrating or swimming this summer

Top Stories

RUGBY
Aussie surprise packet Joe Comito has lost his second round World Darts Championship clash against Northern Ireland's Josh Rock in London More...

BUSINESS
Pressure builds on Milano Cortina organisers amid climate concerns and funding issues More...

Today's News

Rugby:
Aussie surprise packet Joe Comito has lost his second round World Darts Championship clash against Northern Ireland's Josh Rock in London 14:07

Entertainment:
Prosecutors in Los Angeles have vowed to "pursue justice" following the "shocking and tragic" murder of Rob Reiner and his wife 13:50

Health & Safety:
New data suggests free routine dental care for under-18s is being underfunded by around 60-million-dollars 13:47

Motoring:
Auckland's New North Road in Kingsland's blocked, after a pickup truck's collided with several vehicles 13:27

Entertainment:
Billy Crystal will miss Rob Reiner and his wife Michele "forever" 13:20

Law and Order:
A person's been seriously injured after an assault outside Christchurch's Racecourse Hotel in Sockburn 13:07

Entertainment:
Dick Van Dyke "didn't sleep" after the deaths of Rob Reiner and Michele Singer Reiner 12:50

National:
It’s (not) a new bike! How to manage kids’ gift expectations at Christmas 12:27

Tennis:
Michael van Gerwen is safely through to the third round at the world darts championship in London 12:27

Entertainment:
Jennifer Lopez has felt like a "lightning rod for nice things and a lot of negativity" 12:20

News Search

Power Search