A State of Emergency remains in place for parts of Wellington’s southern and eastern wards as residents in coastal suburbs face large swells and strong winds expected to hit the region today and tomorrow.
The dangerous conditions are being driven by a deep low-pressure system south of New Zealand, generating powerful southwesterly winds across the Southern Ocean.
The combination of strong winds and a long “fetch” — the distance over which waves can build — has produced swells of up to 11.6m at Baring Head, while wind gusts at Mount Kaukau reached 129km/h about 2pm.
Wellington Mayor Andrew Little said those still in waterfront properties in Ōwhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay, Moa Point and Breaker Bay must shelter in place until Wednesday morning – warning of another high tide danger period starting from 9.45pm.
“If you are not on the south coast, do not go there. It is too dangerous. Even if the waves get smaller soon, there is still danger.”
Residents in exposed coastal areas of Wellington’s south coast and parts of coastal Wairarapa were told to prepare for hazardous conditions, with evacuations ordered in some suburbs last night.
Little told Breakfast around 350 houses were currently “at risk or potentially at risk” of inundation due to the swell.
“The last big surge we had was in 2020, it got up to about 5.5m. Today’s swell is predicted to be between 8m and 9m, so this will be a big deal.”
He urged people to follow the advice of Civil Defence, and “let nature take its course and see what happens”.
Light plane tipped by high winds
At Wellington Airport, high winds saw a light plane tip, before another gust righted it.
Golden Bay Air chief executive Richard Molloy said it was one of his company’s planes. No-one was on board, and it wouldn’t return to service until an engineer had checked it out.
“We’ve cancelled that flight and FENZ have secured the aircraft down for engineers to check over, at the moment it just looks lightly scratched and doesn’t appear massively damaged,” he told 1News.
“The aircraft being empty put it at greater risk of this happening, had people been onboard it would have been far less likely – this has never happened before.”
Passengers would fly to Nelson on Air NZ and then be driven to Takaka.
Road closures
Wellington City Council said from 9am, no vehicles would be allowed into areas included in the evacuation order.
“This includes emergency services vehicles. This is to prepare for the first dangerous swell window between 10am and 1pm, which will coincide with high tide,” it said online.
“Significant disruption is expected. Some routes will not be accessible. Detours and shortened routes are in place.
“Road closures are in place between Tirangi Road in Lyall Bay and the Pass of Branda in Seatoun and between Sutherland Road in Lyall Bay and Red Rocks.”
Cape Palliser Rd in the Wairarapa was closed at the Hurupi Stream bridge and was likely to remain so for the next 24 hours.
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said the Ngauranga to Petone shared path has reopened, but said users should take care.
Current watches and warnings in place
Strong Wind Watch
Gisborne/Tairāwhiti and Hawke’s Bay coasts (Tolaga Bay to Māhia Peninsula) – seven hours from 12pm to 7pm today.
Wairarapa coast and Tararua District – seven hours from 7am to 2pm today.
Marlborough south of Ward, inland to the Awatere Valley – eight hours from 6am to 2pm today.
Chatham Islands – six hours from 2pm to 8pm today.
Heavy Swell Warning – orange
Wairarapa coast (Turakirae Head to Mataikona) – 33 hours from 12am Monday to 9am Wednesday.
Wellington coast (Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head) – 30 hours from 3am today to 9am Wednesday.
The morning’s headlines in 90 seconds, including warnings about powerful waves, and a former Warrior comes out. (Source: Breakfast)