WELLINGTON, Sept. 10 (Xinhua) -- A 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck south of the Kermadec Islands in New Zealand, without triggering a tsunami alert.

New Zealand GeoNet recorded that the quake occurred at 4:18 p.m. local time, with epicenter of 132 km below and 785 km away from Whakatane in north island.

United States Geological Survey recorded the quake at 6.9 magnitude with epicenter of 111 km below.

Ministry of Civil Defense of New Zealand said that based on current information, the initial assessment ruled out a subsequent tsunami threat after the quake.