New zealand: Authorities evacuated hundreds of people from their seaside homes in Wellington today after waves as high as 11 metres pounded the coastline. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little declared a state of emergency before the giant waves reached the coastal areas of Owhiro Bay, Island Bay, Houghton Bay, and Breaker Bay. According to Oman News Agency, Mayor Little urged residents of these areas to stay away from the south coast, warning that emergency workers would not come to the aid of anyone who refused to leave. The evacuation order took effect today, with police deployed to ensure residents moved to higher ground. Some flights were cancelled at Wellington Airport, where winds reached speeds of 128 kilometres per hour. Wellington City Council noted that a similar storm in 2021 damaged many homes in Breaker Bay, where waves reached about 6.5 metres during that event.