Wellington  - A massive earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale was recorded in Antarctic waters, nearly 2,000 kilometres south of New Zealand's capital Wellington, on Saturday.

The United States Geological Survey said the quake at a depth of 10 kilometres was centred near Australia's Macquarie Island, which is uninhabited apart from a government research station.

New Zealand civil defence officials said the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii had advised that there was no risk of a tsunami reaching the country.

The quake struck at 12:30 New Zealand time (0030 GMT). (dpa)