Meteor detonates over Tasman Sea west of New Zealand

2026, September 23. New Zealand, North Island, Tasman Sea. Large Fireball. Sonic Boom. Time: 22.57. Duration: 5 seconds. Big cracking sound. If this was heard from Waitara, 83 km away, it must have exploded with high energy output. Sonic Boom / Delayed Rumbles: Primary reports confirm a delayed sonic boom and low-frequency rolling rumbles reported across regional Taranaki (including around Kaponga and near Mount Taranaki) and extending toward parts of the western Waikato. Consistent with an atmospheric shockwave generated high in the stratosphere over the ocean/coastal edge, witnesses who experienced the visual flash noted the acoustic boom arrived approx. 1.5 to 3 minutes later, indicating an explosive airburst at an altitude of roughly 30–50 km. Cetacean effects: This is not a good location for a large meteor to explode (Cook Strait entry point). East of the Taranaki Bight; any meteorites would be in the sea. People across the South and upper North Island reported seeing the object, including from Auckland and parts of the Waikato. Witnesses described a brilliant green, yellow or orange light, with some reporting a glowing trail and a flash that briefly illuminated the surrounding sky. Below is a preliminary trajectory to represent where it was located. Once again, I'll update as more data becomes available. 

Long duration fireball over New Zealand

2026, August 30. New Zealand, North Island. Large fireball. (Sunday) Time: 7:43pm. Colour: green. Direction: passing West to East. At the moment, the flight time is 13+ seconds, and the preliminary trajectory has it over Bay of Plenty. There have been no AMS sound reports so far. Will update further as it was heading towards the ocean.

Screenshot: Fireballs Aotearoa.

See video here from Fireballs Aotearoa: Facebook

Fourth fireball reported in New Zealand in as many days

2026, July 30. New Zealand, North Island, East Coast of Northland. Fireball. Time: 07:45:03. Duration: 4secs. Travelling SW north of Great Barrier Island.

Update: 20260805. The MAD issued in the post below for the July 28th meteor has been downgraded to a watch due to new trajectory components showing the meteor exploded over land. Meteorites have been recovered. The sonic boom was contained within landfall regions, and the one report from the South Island was false; therefore, Cook Strait was not affected by a marine disturbance. 

Images and data courtesy of National Geographic, Fireballs Aotearoa and AMS.

Dolphin stranding in New Zealand

2026, February 20. New Zealand, NE of North Island, Pataua Island (Pataua South area), Waipawa bay Northland. Dolphin stranding (species NA). Initial reports have 14 alive and 2 deceased. Updates to follow.

Continued meteor activity in Tasman Sea

2024, April 28. New Zealand, North Island, Cook Strait. Meteors. Numerous meteors were detected travelling N.W. over the Tasman Sea.

Map – Fireballs Aotearoa

I will use this situation to see, (if there is a stranding), to answer the question of why sometimes whales strand after bad weather. There is a gale warning for Raglan coastal area for the next few days. If whales are under extreme stress from meteor activity, they will more likely run ashore during these weather events. Whales in this situation need to stay at sea, where a number are likely to die naturally if they are under stress. The rest of the pod will survive and swim on. If a storm comes along during this time, the whole pod will likely come to shore. Time will tell. I hope not, but this is another scenario that needs to be observed. As noted, it is not uncommon for pods to strand after storms. The question has been why? I will start using weather maps to add to observed events in the future. 

Raglan Coastal Marine Weather Forecast - MetService New Zealand