Hundreds evacuated as waves batter New Zealand capital

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little declared a state of emergency on the eve of severe swells, ordering evacuations for residents in Owhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay, and Breaker Bay. He warned that emergency workers would not assist anyone who ignored the evacuation, which took effect Tuesday morning. Police enforced road cordons to prevent access to the coastline. The council noted a similar 2021 storm caused significant damage in Breaker Bay, with waves around 6.5 meters. On Tuesday, MetService recorded waves of 11 meters in Wellington Harbour, while wind gusts reached 128 km/h at the airport. Two women were knocked down by waves at Island Bay, according to an AFP journalist. Wellington Airport canceled flights due to dangerous conditions, and a Golden Bay Air plane was tipped onto its side by strong winds while parked. Airline CEO Richard Molloy confirmed firefighters secured the aircraft to prevent further movement. Emergency services emphasized the urgency of the situation, with police ensuring compliance with evacuation orders. The severe weather disrupted travel and posed risks to coastal infrastructure and residents.