Waves entering Wellington Harbour on Tuesday (Jun 9) were measured at 11m, and some flights were cancelled at Wellington Airport, where wind gusts were recorded of up to 128kmh.
Stormy seas pound the coastline in the Wellington suburb of Owhiro Bay, New Zealand, on Jun 9, 2026. (Photo: AFP/Ben Strang)
09 Jun 2026 10:05AM
(Updated: 09 Jun 2026 10:09AM)
WELLINGTON: Authorities evacuated hundreds of people from their seaside homes in New Zealand's capital on Tuesday (Jun 9) as 11m waves lashed the coast.Wellington Mayor Andrew Little declared a state of emergency on the eve of the swells for seaside residents in Owhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay and Breaker Bay."You must stay away from the southern coastline," Little said in a statement, warning that emergency workers would not be coming to help anyone who stayed behind.The evacuation order took effect on Tuesday morning, with police brought in to ensure people moved to higher ground.
