Boxing Day Jolt: “Strong” 4.7 Magnitude Quake Rattles Lower North Island
By Lions Roar News National Desk
PONGAROA, NEW ZEALAND (December 26, 2025) – A “strong” 4.7 magnitude earthquake has shaken thousands of Kiwis awake this Boxing Day, striking the lower North Island early Friday morning. The quake, which occurred at 7:16 a.m., was centered near the small Tararua settlement of Pongaroa, roughly midway between Masterton and Dannevirke.
📉 The Quake Breakdown
According to GeoNet, the tremor was relatively shallow at a depth of 17km. While initially classified as moderate, the intensity was quickly upgraded to “strong” as reports flooded in from holiday-makers and residents across the central and lower North Island.
Quick Stats:
- Magnitude: 4.7
- Depth: 17km
- Location: 10km southwest of Pongaroa
- Time: 7:16 a.m., Friday, Dec 26, 2025
- Felt Reports: Over 2,100 people reported feeling the jolt within the first hour.
🗺️ Where it was Felt
The reach of the earthquake was extensive, with “Felt It” reports stretching from the top of the South Island all the way up to Lake Taupō.
- Lower North Island: Residents in Palmerston North and Masterton reported being “jolted awake,” with some describing the sound as a loud rumble similar to a heavy truck passing.
- Pongaroa Epicentre: Locals near the epicentre described a sharp, aggressive shake, though early reports suggest there has been no significant damage to property.
- Wellington: Light to moderate shaking was felt throughout the capital, interrupting the quiet start to the Boxing Day holiday.
⚠️ Safety Reminder: Stay, Cover, and Hold
Civil Defence Manawatū-Whanganui took to social media with a light-hearted but firm reminder for those still in bed:
“Alright, which one of you rolled out of bed after eating three different Christmas meals yesterday? 🍗🥘 Quakes like this are a good reminder to Drop, Cover, and Hold.”
Emergency management officials advise that if you are woken by a quake while in bed, the safest action is to stay in bed, pull the covers over your head, and hold on until the shaking stops. Moving to doorways or running outside during the shaking significantly increases the risk of injury from falling objects.
