5.9 magnitude earthquake hits New Zealand, tsunami alert issued

The epicentre of the earthquake was located around 40 km north of Te Anau, the main gateway to the popular Fiordland tourist region.

A strong earthquake struck New Zealand’s South Island on Wednesday, briefly triggering a tsunami warning before authorities downgraded it to a national advisory after revising the quake’s magnitude from 6.3 to 5.9.

According to initial reports, New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency said the earthquake measured 6.3 in magnitude, and its epicentre was located around 40 km north of Te Anau, the main gateway to the popular Fiordland tourist region.

Later, the country’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) downgraded the warning to an advisory. Taking to X, the NEMA said, “We have issued a NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY. This advisory represents a DOWNGRADE from WARNING. The reason for this downgrade is because the magnitude of the earthquake near Fiordland has been revised down to M5.9.”

We have issued a NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY. This advisory represents a DOWNGRADE from WARNING. The reason for this downgrade is because the magnitude of the earthquake near Fiordland has been revised down to M5.9.

Go to https://t.co/ccVFYR8001 for more information.

— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) July 16, 2026

Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) estimated the quake at magnitude 5.9, saying it occurred at a depth of more than 50 km.

The New Zealand Civil Defence department in a Facebook post said, “We expect New Zealand coastal areas to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a magnitude 5.9 earthquake near Fiordland at 9:14 pm. Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, and anyone in or near the water close to shore. People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers, and estuaries.”

Sending out an advisory, the country’s Civil Defence department said, “People on boats, liveaboards and at marinas should leave their boats/vessels and move onto shore. Do not return to boats unless instructed by officials.”

Listing out the dos and don’t, the department said:

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A strong earthquake struck New Zealand’s South Island on Wednesday, briefly triggering a tsunami warning before authorities downgraded it to a national advisory after revising the quake’s magnitude from 6.3 to 5.9.

According to initial reports, New Zealand’s National Emergency Management Agency said the earthquake measured 6.3 in magnitude, and its epicentre was located around 40 km north of Te Anau, the main gateway to the popular Fiordland tourist region.

Later, the country’s National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) downgraded the warning to an advisory. Taking to X, the NEMA said, “We have issued a NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY. This advisory represents a DOWNGRADE from WARNING. The reason for this downgrade is because the magnitude of the earthquake near Fiordland has been revised down to M5.9.”

We have issued a NATIONAL ADVISORY: TSUNAMI ACTIVITY. This advisory represents a DOWNGRADE from WARNING. The reason for this downgrade is because the magnitude of the earthquake near Fiordland has been revised down to M5.9.

Go to https://t.co/ccVFYR8001 for more information.

— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) July 16, 2026

Meanwhile, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) estimated the quake at magnitude 5.9, saying it occurred at a depth of more than 50 km.

The New Zealand Civil Defence department in a Facebook post said, “We expect New Zealand coastal areas to experience strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore following a magnitude 5.9 earthquake near Fiordland at 9:14 pm. Strong currents and surges can injure and drown people. There is a danger to swimmers, surfers, people fishing, and anyone in or near the water close to shore. People in or near the sea in the following areas should move out of the water, off beaches and shore areas and away from harbours, marinas, rivers, and estuaries.”

Sending out an advisory, the country’s Civil Defence department said, “People on boats, liveaboards and at marinas should leave their boats/vessels and move onto shore. Do not return to boats unless instructed by officials.”

Listing out the dos and don’t, the department said: