An earthquake has struck the Kermadec Islands off New Zealand.
The quake was initially reported as a magnitude 6.7 at just before 7pm.
It was recorded by the US Geological Survey as being at a depth of 34 kilometres.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center has not issued a warning however it says earthquakes of this size sometimes generate local tsunamis that can be destructive along coasts located within 100 kilometres of the epicentre.
The Kermadecs islands are a nature reserve 1000 kilometres northeast of New Zealand and are managed by the Department of Conservation. A permanent weather, radio and conservation station is based on Raoul Island, the biggest in the chain of islands at 2900 hectares.
TVNZ.co.nz