The underground shocks were registered at 01:23 GMT, 95 kilometres (59 miles) to the south-southwest of Mount Taron.
The epicentre of the earthquake was located at a depth of 25.3 kilometres. There have been no immediate reports about damage or casualties caused by the quake.
New Guinea is located in a seismically active zone known as the Ring of Fire, which is regularly affected by powerful earthquakes.