6.9 magnitude earthquake off New Zealand coast

A 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the Kermadec Islands region of New Zealand on Saturday evening.

The USGS said the earthquake was at a depth of 205 km and was centred 927.6 km northeast of Ngunguru, New Zealand.

No tsunami warning was issued following the earthquake and since it was over the ocean there were no reports of damage.

The eastern margin of the Australian plate is one of the most seismically active areas of the world according to the USGS.