GPS data from around 900 marker sites reveals regions are shifting about 4cm a year relative to each other.
New Zealand is moving by 4cm a year, new satellite surveys have revealed.
But rather than shifting as a whole, tectonic forces are deforming the land surface - stretching, slimming and sliding it southward.
GPS surveys taken over summer by a team of GNS Science geodesists show much of the Wellington region is marching southwest at a rate of about 4cm a year.
The survey, carried out last month at around 160 survey marks in the lower North Island, adds to an emerging picture which has shown much of the Wairarapa region is moving southwest at about 4cm each year relative to the Kapiti Coast.
There are also small changes in height as the region is gradually squashed horizontally by tectonic forces.
The project forms part of an annual campaign which moves around eight areas of New Zealand, ensuring the entire country is accurately mapped every eight years.
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