Wellington, June 8, 2026 – The Europe Today: Authorities in New Zealand have ordered evacuations in parts of the capital, Wellington, and suspended Cook Strait ferry services as powerful ocean swells of up to 10.5 metres are forecast to impact the region.
A state of emergency was declared for southern and eastern areas of Wellington, with Civil Defence issuing mandatory evacuation orders for waterfront properties in Owhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay and Breaker Bay beginning at 9:00 a.m. local time on Tuesday.
In a statement, the Wellington City Council advised residents of affected coastal properties to seek alternative accommodation, warning of potentially dangerous conditions along the shoreline.
According to MetService, a strong southerly weather system is expected to generate combined waves of between 9.5 and 10.5 metres across the Cook Strait from late Monday through Wednesday morning, with peak conditions forecast for late Tuesday morning.
Authorities have urged the public to stay away from beaches and coastal roads due to the risks posed by flooding, debris, and powerful wave surges.
Officials warned that the long-period swells could cause significant coastal damage and may exceed the impacts of a 2020 storm that produced 5.5-metre waves and prompted widespread evacuations in affected communities.
Emergency services remain on high alert as authorities continue to monitor conditions and prepare for potential damage along Wellington’s coastline.
