Two moderate earthquakes strike Central North Island

Hawkes Bay Today

3 Dec, 2025 11:22 PMQuick Read

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GeoNet’s shaking map shows the 4.8-magnitude quake centred north-east of Pongaroa. Photo / GeoNet

Two moderate earthquakes that shook an isolated community late on Thursday morning were felt around the Central North Island.

A 4.8-magnitude jolt centred 10km north-east of the Tararua community of Pongaroa struck at 11.47am.

GeoNet said the quake, at a depth of 7km, caused “moderate” shaking.

A Pongaroa resident
described it on Facebook as a “very sharp” jolt. Close to 500 people reported feeling it, most of them in the Tararua District, Palmerston North, Wairarapa and Wellington.

It was followed by four aftershocks in quick succession, including one light, two weak, and then another moderate quake of 4.4-magnitude at 12.17pm, GeoNet reported.