7.9 quake near Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, no tsunami threat for New Zealand

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the 7.9M Solomon Islands earthquake, said Civil Defence. Photo / USGS

A magnitude 7.9 earthquake has struck between the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, however there is no tsunami warning for New Zealand.

There is no tsunami threat to New Zealand following the 7.9M Solomon Islands earthquake at 1730 NZ time.

— National Emergency Management Agency (@NZcivildefence) January 22, 2017

An alert from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center (PTWC) says widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible for parts of the Pacific.

Areas issued tsunami warnings include Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea , Pohnpei , Vanuatu , Chuuk, Indonesia, Nauru and Kosrae.

Initial reports suggest the earthquake struck at a depth of 154km.

The quake was initially recorded at 8.0M.

Connie Wihongi-Stevens posted on the NZ Herald's Facebook page, saying her husband is working in Arawa, in Papua New Guinea's Bougainville region, and felt the shake.

"My hubby .th.th. was lucky to get word to me that he was alive and safe .th.th. the home he was in shook terribly and people were running everywhere cars rocking to and fro."