An earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale shook much of New Zealand's North Island on Sunday, dpa reported.
The quake was centred just off the coast in the Bay of Plenty, about 210 kilometres south-east of Auckland.
Seismologists at GNS Science said the quake was 160 kilometres below the surface, a depth that reduced the risk to population centres.
There were no immediate reports of damage or injury.