New maps and cross-sections of the southern end of the Kermadec Seismic Region and the northern part of the Main Seismic Region of New Zealand show them to be separate but related systems, perhaps resulting from the transverse fracture of an earlier structure. The hypothesis of asymmetrical spreading in the volcanic region of the North Island adequately explains the positional relationships of the geophysical elements of the New Zealand Region, including the existence of a small and separate system of earthquakes near East Cape. The mechanism of the relative displacement of the Kermadec system to the east is not adequately explained.