Earthquake Alerts in New Zealand
Earthquake Alerts for New Zealand (Australasia) come from MetService, National Emergency Management Agency, GeoNet. This page explains what these warnings mean, which authority publishes them, and how to check the current status for Wellington.
Check live earthquakes, status for WellingtonBrowse all warnings
At a glance
- countryNew Zealand · Oceania
- reference cityWellington (-41.29, 174.78)
- emergencyPrimary emergency number111
- risk profileearthquake, volcano, tsunami, storm, flood, landslide, wildfire, coastal
What counts as a earthquake alerts
Earthquakes cannot be predicted, so these pages track detection and early warning instead: seismological networks publish magnitude, depth and location within minutes, and some countries operate early warning that reaches people seconds before strong shaking. Aftershocks are a separate, real hazard for days or weeks after a main shock.
Who issues earthquake alerts in New Zealand
- meteoMetService
- civilNational Emergency Management Agency
- seismicGeoNet
Warning levels, colours and terminology are set nationally. Always read the warning text of the issuing authority: it names the affected districts, the expected time window and the recommended action.
If a warning is active in New Zealand
- Drop, cover and hold on - get under a sturdy table, away from glass.
- Expect aftershocks and keep away from damaged buildings.
- If you are on the coast and shaking lasts longer than a minute, move inland or uphill immediately.
Where the data comes from
Waarning reads public, key-free sources for New Zealand: USGS, EMSC, national seismological networks, Copernicus EMS. Measurements and official warnings are shown separately, and official warnings always keep the name of the authority that issued them.
Frequently asked questions
Who issues earthquake alerts in New Zealand?
MetService, National Emergency Management Agency, GeoNet. Waarning does not issue warnings; it aggregates the public feeds of these bodies and links back to the original source.
What is the emergency number in New Zealand?
The primary emergency number is 111. Use it for a life-threatening situation; for non-urgent reports use the local police station number.
Does Waarning show live earthquake alerts for New Zealand?
Yes. The dashboard loads the current values for Wellington from USGS, EMSC, national seismological networks, Copernicus EMS. You can open it with one click and the location is already set.
More warnings for New Zealand
- Severe Weather Warnings
- Flood Warnings
- Wildfire Warnings
- Air Quality Warnings
- Volcano Alerts
- Tsunami Warnings
Earthquake Alerts in nearby countries
Generated 2026-10-14. Waarning is not an official warning service; in an emergency follow local authorities and emergency services.