The tectonics of this area can be most easily resolved by postulating between the Havre Trough to the east of the South Kermadec Ridge Seamounts, the Whakatane Graben and the Taupo Volcanic Zone on the North Island of New Zealand there is a continuation of the Tonga micro-plate into the Kermadec microplate which probably extends to Cook Strait.

[4] The Hikurangi Plateau, a remnant of a large igneous province is being subducted under the North Island at the margin currently.

[6] The Ruatoria debris avalanche originated on the north part of the subduction zone and probably occurred around 170,000 years ago.

[7][8] Multiple uplift earthquakes will have occurred in the locked areas of the fault but a good historical record does not yet exist.

[13] The model suggests that shallow-depth subducted water-saturated clay-rich sediments, promote earthquake rupture propagation and slip.