DOC staff 'coping well' after magnitude 7 earthquake in Kermadecs

Monday, 17 June 2019

Department of Conservation staff based on Raoul Island are said to be 'coping well' amid aftershocks following an earthquake in the Kermadec Islands.

A magnitude 7 earthquake struck the Kermadec Islands, northeast of New Zealand, on Sunday.

The quake was centred 10km deep and left New Zealanders on tenterhooks after a confusing tsunami alert was issued by Civil Defence and then removed after eight minutes.

The Kermadec Islands are about 800-1000km northeast of the North Island. They can only be accessed with a permit from Customs and the Department of Conservation (DOC).

They are uninhabited apart from Raoul Island Station, where there is a meteorological station and a hostel for DOC workers and volunteers.

Matiu Mataira, Raoul Island's senior ranger, said the seven staff on the island had experienced some small aftershocks and were 'coping well'. 

**READ MORE:

* No tsunami threat to NZ after magnitude 7 earthquake in Kermadecs

* Tsunami warnings from 7.0 magnitude Kermadec Island earthquake confusing**

Mataira said the island's staff had accessed buildings and found no damage from the earthquake. 

However, the staff remained vigilant and were following post-earthquake protocol, which included staying away from landslide prone areas until the ground was deemed stable. This was after two heavy rainfalls, Mataira said. 

DOC were staying in regular contact with the staff on the island and had been in touch with their families.

Earthquakes have frequently struck the Kermadecs, including a 7.4 magnitude quake in 2006 and a 7.6 in 2007. 

In 2011, two quakes, measuring 7.6 and 7.4, struck three months apart.