No tsunami risk from large earthquake off NZ

A large earthquake that struck off the coast of New Zealand is not a tsunami threat to the country, authorities say.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and GNS Science earlier said they were assessing whether the quake, then rated at magnitude 7.0, had created a tsunami that could affect New Zealand.

The earthquake, now re-rated at M6.9, struck at 9.09pm on Friday night and was centred near the Kermadec Islands.

“Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand,” GNS and NEMA said.

Did you feel the shake? Email newstips@stuff.co.nz

4709 people from across much of the North Island and parts of the South felt the quake, GeoNet reported.

GNS Science duty seismologist Elizabeth Abbott said it was relatively deep and there was no tsunami threat.

“However, the size of the area where it was felt is quite large.

“This is how energy travels through tectonic plates.”