There was no threat from a tsunami after a powerful 7.0 magnitude earthquake stuck near the Kermadec Islands, northeast of New Zealand, the country's Ministry of Civil Defense and Emergency Management (MCDEM) said on Sunday. 

"Based on current information, the initial assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have caused a tsunami that will pose a threat to New Zealand," the ministry said.

The earthquake struck at 10:55 a.m. local time (2255 GMT Saturday) at a depth of 34 km, said the U.S. Geological Survey.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said after the quake, "Hazardous tsunami waves from this earthquake are possible within 300 km of the epicenter along the coasts of the Kermadec Islands."

Another 6.6 magnitude earthquake rocked the Kermadec Islands region at around 5:30 p.m. local time, MCDEM said on Sunday.

The second quake would not likely cause a tsunami threat to New Zealand, according to reports.