An earthquake in Cook Strait shakes Wellington

Photo: GeoNet

An earthquake struck Wellington on Thursday evening.

GeoNet said the moderate 4.9 magnitude earthquake struck at 9.09pm and was centered 25km west of Wellington and at a depth of 22km.

The earthquake was initially recorded as magnitude 5.1 but has since been downgraded by GeoNet.

If you felt the earthquake and would like to share it with us, please email: [email protected]

Nearly 30,000 people reported feeling the earthquake.

A M4.9 earthquake with moderate shaking occurred in Cook Strait at 9:09 pm tonight. It was 22 km deep and was widely felt in central New Zealand and we received over 30,000 reports. Another reminder that earthquakes can happen anywhere in New Zealand at any time pic.twitter.com/xtKzAlUkoN

– Geonet (@geonet) November 6, 2025

Several people said they heard the quake before they felt it, while others received phone alerts moments before the downtown building they were in began shaking.

New Zealand Fire and Emergency Services said no calls had been made as a result of the earthquake.

Phone alert has been sent to some users. Photo: Supplied

Metlink has advised that there are speed restrictions of 40 km/h on all lines until further notice as a result of the earthquake and that passengers can expect delays.

A 3.5-magnitude aftershock occurred at 10:28 pm, 20 kilometers northwest of Wellington, at a depth of 25 kilometers. More than 1,500 people have reported feeling shaking on GeoNet.

One person told RNZ that the initial shaking “had me looking for the strongest entrance… and then it was over!”

Another person said they were attending a performance of the Nutcracker ballet at St James's Theater when the quake struck: “Powerful, heavy shaking but no one missed a beat.”

One Cowboy Junkies concert attendee said they felt it in the opera house: “There was one tremor as if someone had shaken the row of seats hard. The building handled it really well. Great concert.”

Another person said the quake was very big in Paikakariki, while another person in Wellington said: “The quake wasn't very big, so we're all fine.”

“Shopping at Woolworths supermarket in Johnsonville, Wellington…felt the earthquake at 9:10pm!”

GNS spokeswoman Elisabetta d'Anastasio said moderate tremors were felt in the capital, and people from the upper part of the Southern Islands and the lower Northern Islands also reported feeling the quake.

She said it was possible for aftershocks to occur overnight.

D'Annastasio told RNZ's Nights program the quake was at a depth of 22 kilometers and in the middle of Cook Strait.

She said how strongly people feel the earthquake depends on how close they are to the epicenter, the type of ground they live on — for example, shaking will be felt stronger in a sandy place than in a rocky place — the type of building they live in (as those on higher floors are likely to feel it more) and personal sensitivity.

She said New Zealanders should prepare for earthquakes because they live on a very fragile island.

“We recorded about 20 four- and five-magnitude events just last year in the same area.”

She said people should fall, cover and hold on if they feel the quake, or if you're in bed it's best to stay there and maybe grab your pillow to protect your head.

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