King tides cause flooding in Maketu and Little Waihi Beach

Flooding at Bledisloe Holiday Park in Maketu. Photo/Leanne Brown

Wild weather battered Maketu yesterday resulting in significant flooding in some low lying areas.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council spokesman Alistair Gray said although the rain eased by earlier afternoon, king tides flooded some low lying coastal areas in the district.

In the Western Bay district, tidal surges were experienced at Little Waihi Reserve, specifically the Bledisloe Holiday Park, Maketu Rd by the estuary, Waihi Beach at Two Mile Creek and Te Puna Station Rd, he said.

Te Puke and Maketu ward councillor Kevin Marsh said there had been incredibly large breaker waves at the usually calm estuary in Maketu Rd south of Maketu Sports Ground.

The waves were huge, right up to the top of the boat ramp and the local diving board, in Maketu Rd, normally about 3m out of the water, could barely be seen, he said.

Marsh said looking towards Little Waihi Beach from Pukehina he could see trees under water.

Gray said once the high tide started to recede yesterday afternoon the main concern was flying debris caused by the high winds.

Council staff and contractors had been out helping put up warning signs and offering assistance to residents and visitors who needed it.

Tauranga city councillor Leanne Brown, holidaying at Bledisloe Holiday Park at Little Waihi Beach with her family, said several campers decided to pack up and leave on Thursday night.

Some others chose to leave yesterday morning ahead of the king tide, she said

Brown said her family and the other remaining campers who chose to stay "battened down the hatches" ahead of the heavy downpour and king tide.

A few campers had to be helped to drier ground, and others pitched in to help tow at least one vehicle to safety, she said.

The rain had eased by about 3.45pm yesterday, but there were still high winds to contend with and despite the power being out people were generally in good spirits, Brown said.

The sun was "trying hard to come out", she said.

Brown said she and the other campers were making the best of it, and the park manager was hoping to re-erect a big marquee so campers could gather for a "bit of a sing-song".