Cook Islands family among hundreds forced from Wellington homes as giant swells close in

Families along Wellington's southern coastline are packing up and leaving as huge waves bear down on the capital, forcing hundreds of residents from their homes.

Among them is Cooks Islands resident Thomas Tarurongo Wynne, whose family home in Ōwhiro Bay sits just three metres from the beach and directly in the path of powerful swells expected to hit on Tuesday.

A local state of emergency remains in place across parts of Wellington's southern and eastern suburbs, with about 350 waterfront properties from Ōwhiro Bay to Breaker Bay ordered to evacuate by 9am.

Speaking with William Terite on Pacific Mornings before leaving the property, Wynne says the threat feels all too familiar.

"The tide's coming in. It's right up to the seawall at the moment, so we've sandbagged everything,” he said.

"We've got everything on racks downstairs. We've moved everything that could be moved."

Watch Thomas Tarurongo Wynne's full interview below.

Wynne said his wife, Juanita, had already evacuated on Monday night while he stayed behind to finish preparations.

"They had a big flood a little while ago and the water came right over and flooded houses. That's concerning and they reckon this one will be worse," he says. "We've got till nine o'clock. They told us we've got to get out."

The evacuation order came after Wellington Mayor Andrew Little declared a state of emergency on Monday evening as forecasts showed dangerous coastal conditions developing around the lower North Island.

Waves are ramping up around Wellington's southern coastal beaches. Photo/RNZ/Dom Thomas

Heavy swell warnings remain in place for Wellington and Wairarapa, with MetService forecasting waves could reaching up to nine metres around Wellington and as high as 10.5 metres along exposed parts of the Wairarapa coast before conditions begin easing on Wednesday.

Lewis Ferris, MetService meteorologist, told RNZ the most dangerous conditions were expected between 10am and 1pm on Tuesday.

"Today won't be a good day to go out on any southern coastlines, especially around Wellington,” Ferris said. “Don't take the dog for a walk, don't go just to see the large waves roll in."

Emergency officials have warned that seawater could surge onto roads and properties and have urged people to stay away from beaches, waterfront areas and coastal routes.

While the threat is serious, Wynne says residents have been given clear information and time to prepare.

"The information to us as residents has been amazing. It's been forthcoming. We have plenty of time to prepare. Emergency management literally came around and knocked on all our houses last night."

Wynne says the support of Wellington’s Pacific community has again been evident, just as it was when previous flooding hit the area earlier this year.

"We've got all our Cook Island family here, our Cook Island community here," he says.

"Last time the waters hit and we were flooded downstairs, there was a big pot of soup at our front door and loaves of bread. People dropped off wet vacuum cleaners for us to use, and neighbours put out their dehumidifiers for us."

But the repeated weather scares have left a lasting impression on the family.

"This is the third time it's happened since we've been here,” he says. “The ocean will do what the ocean does, and it's clear we're not treating the earth right."

Authorities say the highest-risk period is expected around Tuesday's late-morning high tide, with emergency crews monitoring conditions and road closures possible as swells build throughout the day.

The state of emergency is expected to remain in place until at least Wednesday while officials assess the impact of the storm.

The latest warnings and evacuation information are available through official Civil Defence and Wellington City Council channels. For more information, visit Metservice.