Hundreds evacuated as waves batter New Zealand capital

The council said a similar event in 2021 affected many homes in Breaker Bay, and waves during that storm were about 6.5 metres.

Waves entering Wellington Harbour on Tuesday were measured at 11m, New Zealand’s MetService said.

Wind gusts were so strong at Island Bay that two women were knocked off their feet as waves washed up over the road, an AFP journalist saw.

Some flights were cancelled at Wellington Airport, where wind gusts were recorded of up to 128kmh.

A small plane from local carrier Golden Bay Air tipped onto its side in the wind while parked at the airport with no one aboard.

Airline boss Richard Molloy told national broadcaster RNZ that firefighters had secured the plane to the ground.