Tottenham Hotspur Arrive in New Zealand as Severe 5.9 Earthquake Hits North Island

Tottenham Hotspur's arrival in New Zealand for their pre-season tour was met with a dramatic welcome after a 5.9 magnitude earthquake struck the country's North Island. Roberto De Zerbi’s squad had landed in Auckland on Saturday morning just hours before the tremor was recorded at 4:51 am local time near the town of Taumarunui.

While the seismic activity registered as 'severe' according to the Geonet tracking service, Spurs' base in Auckland sits roughly 150 miles north of the epicentre. Consequently, the team escaped any strong tremors, though squad members received automated emergency warnings on their mobile devices.

Earthquakes Rock North Island as Spurs Prepare

The quake caused minor damage to local roads, but no major destruction or personal injuries have been reported. Tens of thousands of residents across the region felt the movement, with authorities issuing warnings for potential aftershocks throughout Saturday. Local press reports indicated that residents considered the tremor one of the strongest experienced in the area for some time.

New Zealand typically experiences around 14,000 earthquakes annually, though the vast majority pass without being felt by the public.

Pre-Season Schedule and Squad Details

Tottenham are set to begin their tour fixtures at Eden Park against reigning A-League champions Auckland FC, before scheduled matches against Sydney and London rivals Chelsea over the next week.

De Zerbi has travelled with a modified squad for the tour down under. First-team players Xavi Simons, Mohamed Kudus, Dejan Kulusevski, and Wilson Odobert remained behind in the UK to continue their injury rehabilitation programmes. Additionally, club captain Cristian Romero and Djed Spence are among six players granted extended time off following their international participation in the World Cup.