No tsunami threat for NZ after 6.8 magnitude earthquake strikes near Kermadec Islands

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake has struck south of the Kermadec Islands this afternoon.

The Ministry of Civil Defence & Emergency Management and GNS Science say there is no tsunami threat to New Zealand.

The quake struck at 4:20pm.

GNS has confirmed to 1 NEWS a string of earthquakes that registered in New Zealand are all so-called ghost quakes from the Kermadec shake.

"We detected at least five ghost quakes," a spokesperson said.