New Zealand straddles the boundary between the Pacific and Australian plates, giving it thousands of earthquakes every year. This page pulls real records for New Zealand: the largest earthquakes on record from USGS, how often the ground shakes nearby, tsunamis from the NOAA database, and volcanoes from the Smithsonian program. Nothing is guessed.
A quiet recent record is good news, but many damaging earthquakes strike places that were quiet for decades. The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for New Zealand.
Check New Zealand hazard risk in detail
An interactive breakdown of the earthquake, tsunami and volcano risk near New Zealand - or search any city or region.
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Earthquake risk in New Zealand - FAQ
Is New Zealand at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 139 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 611 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data. The strongest earthquake on record nearby is M7.8 in 2016.
What was the biggest earthquake in New Zealand?
The strongest earthquake on record near New Zealand is M7.8, in 2016 (53 km NNE of Amberley, New Zealand), from USGS.
Does New Zealand get tsunamis?
Yes - 52 tsunamis since 1831 (most recently 2022) within 611 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 261 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in New Zealand?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.