Magnitude 6.2 quake strikes off New Zealand coast A magnitude 6.2 earthquake struck off the coast of New Zealand Tuesday sending shock waves into its capital city of Wellington, the U.S. Geological Survey reported on its website. Its epicenter was between the country's two large islands at a depth of 147 miles, Reuters reported. The New Zealand Herald reported residents across the country felt long rumblings and a fire department spokesman said there were no immediate reports of significant damage. The paper reported a magnitude 3.8 aftershock felt in the city of Christchurch.