Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington City

Heavy Swell Warnings: Wellington and Wairarapa

Friday 3 May 2024 - 12:22pm

MetService New Zealand has issued a Heavy Swell Warning for Wellington and Wairarapa.

Wellington - Cape Terawhiti to Turakirae Head from 2pm Friday, 3 May to 7am Saturday, 4 May.

Wairarapa - Turakirae Head to Mataikona from 1pm Friday, 3 May to 11am Saturday, 4 May

• Heavy swells are expected to be 4-4.5 metres developing Friday afternoon, and easing Saturday morning.
• The highest risk period is typically at or within 1-2 hours of high tide. High tides will be overnight from 12am to 2am on Saturday, 4 May.
• These heavy swells are forecast to coincide with high tides overnight (12am to 2am on Saturday) and it is likely that swells will cause surface flooding of roads and debris wash up including driftwood, seaweed, sand and gravel.

Information for Wellington South Coast and Wairarapa coastal residents

• Everyone should take care when walking or driving along coastal roads on the South Coast of Wellington and Wairarapa during this time.
• Wellington South Coast residents: Residents living in exposed coastal areas on the Wellington South Coast that have been impacted by swells in the past (Owhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay, the western side of Lyall Bay and Moa Point to Breaker Bay (including Reef, Flax and Eve Bays) should expect wave overtopping onto roads and debris, so look to park vehicles away from the seaward side of the road. Residents living on the seaward side of the road in Lyall Bay, particularly 249 – 281 Queens Drive, may see wave overtopping into yards.
• Wairarapa coastal residents: People should be particularly careful when driving around coastal roads that have been impacted by swells in the past, such as low lying areas of Cape Palliser Road eg, at Pautangirua Pinnacles, Ngawi – Mangatoetoe and, the Tora Farm Settlement Road and Mataikona Road. Expect wave overtopping onto roads and debris, so look to park vehicles away from the seaward side of the road.
• Surfers, divers, recreational reef fishers/surfcasters should avoid exposed locations such as Wellington south coast locations, Lake Onoke outlet, Cape Palliser and Castlepoint reef.
• Take care when walking or driving along coastal roads on the South Coast of Wellington and Wairarapa during this time.

Read emergency event information for the Wellington Region.