KEY POINTS:
Two strong earthquakes struck the Kermadec Islands, north of New Zealand, early this morning.
The first quake measured 7.3 on the Richter scale and struck 1040 km north-east of Te Kaha in the Bay of Plenty.
The GNS website reported that the quake had a focal depth of 33km and hit at 4.19am NZT.
Six Department of Conservation workers are stationed on Raoul Island, part of the Kermadec group, and felt the quake this morning.
Tim Brandenburg is the DoC Warkworth area office manager where the Kermadec operation is administered from.
"We've received a phone message saying that they're alright but they did feel it," Mr Brandenburg said.
He said food was knocked off the shelves but no one was injured.
"They'll have a bit of cleaning up to do," said Mr Brandenburg.
He said the group were now under a "level two alert" which means some of their work will not be undertaken until the alert is scaled down.
"But you need to appreciate that while it was a significant earthquake, it is not unusual. The island sits on the verge of an active volcanic zone," Mr Brandenburg said.
He said since the 7.3 quake there had been an aftershock of over five on the Richter scale and more could follow.
Mr Brandenburg said DoC would make contact with the group via satellite phone today.
NZPA reported that the United States Geological Survey said the aftershock measured 5.3 on the Richter scale. There were no immediate reports of damage and no tsunami alert was issued.
-NZHERALD STAFF
