[10] Eruptive activity was still occurring at the island at the time of the first earthquake, however it is believed the two events are not related.

The earthquake epicentre was located in the Bay of Plenty north of Mōtītī Island, at a depth of 300 km (186 mi), and its moment magnitude was 7.3.

[11] Despite being located in the Bay of Plenty, it was felt the strongest in the city of Gisborne, at a maximum intensity of VIII.

[4] The reason the earthquake was felt the strongest in Gisborne is because the energy from deep earthquakes in the North Island are more easily transmitted through the solid subducting Pacific plate, resulting in them being felt more strongly along the eastern coastline near the plate boundary.

This is largely because seismologist George Hogben was the Secretary for Education at the time, and he instructed all teachers at the schools in the area to create reports on the events.

[4] Numerous fissures opened up in the ground, particularly on and near dry riverbeds, and in some places such as the Wharekahika River "earthquake fountains" occurred.

[13] In the city of Gisborne, the town clock was stopped by both earthquakes, but no notable damage occurred.