NZ Historic Weather Events Catalogue
May-June 1962 New Zealand Flooding ( 1962-05-31 )
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 31st May to the 2nd June.
An active depression over the Tasman Sea was moving eastward. The associated warm front was expected to cross the Auckland area on the 31st. The complex low pressure system crossed New Zealand on the 31st moving south-east.
North Island
Flooding
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North Island
The floods in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty in May and June caused a loss of around £400,000 ($14,930,000 2008 dollars).
Maritime / Coastal
Launches and other small craft were driven ashore and smashed at several places including Manly and Whitianga.
Northland
Flooding
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Northland
The main northern railway line was under water at Matatau following heavy rain on the 31st of May.
The central highway north was closed on the night of the 31st in the Mangamuka Gorge and at Rangiahua. The Kawakawa-Paihia road was flooded at high tide. Two major roads in Northland were still blocked on the 2nd of June due to floodwaters.
Internal air services were disrupted. Kaitaia, Kaikohe and Whangarei aerodromes were closed.
High Wind / Gust
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Cape Reinga
A wind speed of 60 miles an hour (97 km/hr) was reported in Cape Reinga on the 30th of May.
Heavy Rain
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Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 1.32 in (3.35 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Flooding
Three roads in the Dargaville area were blocked which were the main road north through the Waipoua Forest and the Waihue and Avoca roads.
Flooding
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Kaihu River
The Kaihu River at the Gorge reached a gauge height of 203.91 ft (62.15 m) on the 31st.
The Kaihu River at the Gorge had a peak discharge of 10,710 cusecs (303 cumecs) on the 31st, with a catchment area of 44 sq. miles (114 km^2).
Heavy Rain
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Kaikohe
Kaikohe recorded 2.68 in (6.81 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Heavy Rain
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Kaitaia
Kaitaia recorded 1.40 in (3.56 cm) of rain between noon to 6pm on the 30th.
Kaitaia recorded 2.97 in (7.54 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Flooding
River levels were 17 feet (5.18 m) and 10 feet (3.05 m) above normal on the night of the 31st.
Flooding
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Kawakawa
Kawakawa township was without water on on the night of the 31st. Floods broke the water supply pipes.
Flooding
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Mangakahia River
The Mangakahia River at the Gorge reached a gauge height of 129.34 ft (39.42 m) on the 31st.
The Mangakahia River at the Gorge had a peak discharge of 36,600 cusecs (1036 cumecs) on the 31st, with a catchment area of 93 sq. miles (241 km^2).
The Mangakahia River at Purua Bridge reached a gauge height of 286.48 ft (87.32 m) on the 2nd.
The Mangakahia River at Purua Bridge had a peak discharge of 4,910 cusecs (139 cumecs) on the 2nd, with a catchment area of 209 sq. miles (541 km^2).
The Mangakahia River at Lewis Bridge reached a gauge height of 293.38 ft (89.42 m) on the 2nd.
The Mangakahia River at Lewis Bridge had a peak discharge of 4,850 cusecs (137 cumecs) on the 2nd, with a catchment area of 203 sq. miles (526 km^2).
The Mangakahia River at Jordan Bridge reached a gauge height of 294.19 ft (89.67 m) on the 2nd.
The Mangakahia River at Jordan Bridge had a bank overflow on the 2nd, with a catchment area of 144 sq. miles (373 km^2).
Flooding
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Manganui River
The Manganui River at the Permanent Station reached a gauge height of 58.75 ft (17.91 m) on the 2nd.
The Manganui River at the Permanent Station had a peak discharge of 3,600 cusecs (102 cumecs) on the 2nd, with a catchment area of 161 sq. miles (417 km^2).
Flooding
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Maropiu
The Kaihu River at Maropiu Bridge reached a gauge height of 46 ft (14.02 m) on the 31st.
The Kaihu River at Maropiu Bridge had a peak discharge of 11,100 cusecs (314 cumecs) on the 31st, with a catchment area of 63 sq. miles (163 km^2).
Flooding
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Titoki
The Mangakahia River at Titoki Bridge reached a gauge height of 51.47 ft (15.69 m) on the 1st.
The Mangakahia River at Titoki Bridge had a peak discharge of 19,500 cusecs (552 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 308 sq. miles (798 cumecs).
Flooding
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Waiotu River
The Waiotu River at the State Highway Bridge reached a gauge height of 307.09 ft (93.60 m) on the 1st.
The Waiotu River at the State Highway Bridge had a peak discharge of 2,130 cusecs (60.3 cumecs) on the 1st.
The Waiotu River at the Northern Overflow Bridge reached a gauge height of 308.19 ft (93.94 m) on the 1st.
The Waiotu River at the Northern Overflow Bridge had a peak discharge of 1,700 cusecs (48.1 cumecs) on the 1st.
Flooding
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Wairua River
The Wairua River at Wairua Bridge reached a gauge height of 173.15 ft (52.78 m) on the 1st.
The Wairua River at Wairua Bridge had a peak discharge of 7,030 cusecs (199 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 273 sq. miles (707 km^2).
Auckland
Multi Hazard
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Auckland
High winds and waves interrupted air services and delayed coastal shipping north of Auckland on the 30th.
High Wind / Gust
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Auckland City
A gust of 50 miles an hour (80 km/hr) was recorded at Mechanics Bay at 9pm on the night of the 30th of May.
Multi Hazard
Boats were torn from their moorings and swept ashore at Manly, Stanmore Bay, Brown's Bay, Castor Bay, along the North Shore and in Auckland Harbour.
Water up to 2 ft (0.61 m) covered Tamaki Drive at Hobson Bay when the gale whipped up the full tide.
The electric power supply was disrupted in the Whitford, Grafton and Mt Eden districts.
Heavy Rain
Auckland recorded 1.47 in (3.73 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9pm on the 31st of May.
Flooding
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Kaipara Flats
There was considerable surface flooding in the Kaipara Flats.
There were no stock losses reported.
Flooding
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Papakura
The Papakura water supply was cut on the 1st of June.
Heavy Rain
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Warkworth
Warkworth recorded 2.9 in (7.37 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
High Wind / Gust
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Whangaparaoa Peninsula
There were numerous power failures in and around the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and Orewa, caused mainly by falling trees.
Heavy Rain
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Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 1.5 in (3.81 cm) of rain between 9am and 9pm on the 30th of May.
Whangarei recorded 2.78 in (7.06 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Heavy Rain
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Whenuapai
Whenuapai recorded 1.1 in (2.79 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Waikato
Multi Hazard
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Waikato
The railway line suffered between Mangaiti and Pirohia due to flooding and slips and was closed on the 2nd.
Flooding
The Tapu-Whitianga Road was blocked by floodwaters and slips.
The Te Kuiti-Taumarunui road was closed.
The Te Aroha-Paeroa highway was closed and one of the detours was also washed out. The Waihi-Paeroa road and the Waihi-Tauranga road was closed.
The Waihou, Waitoa and Piako Rivers rose but did not cause much flooding.
High Wind / Gust
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Colville
The telephone lines were out on the 31st of May due to high winds.
Heavy Rain
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Coromandel
Coromandel recorded 3.85 in (9.78 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Heavy Rain
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Hamilton
Hamilton recorded 4.86 in (12.34 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 1st of June.
Flooding
Rukuhia airport was closed on the 1st of June
Waikato River was 6.5 ft (1.98 m) above its normal level at Hamilton on the 2nd. The river at Ngaruwahia and Huntly rose 6 to 7 ft (1.83-2.13 m) above low winter level.
Flooding
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Manaia
The Thames-Coromandel road was flooded at Manaia. The floodwaters were 12 to 15 inches (0.30-0.38 m) deep along the road for quarter of a mile on the 31st.
Flooding
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Mangawara
Serious flooding was reported at Mangawara.
Flooding
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Otorohanga
Waipa River was 14 ft (4.27 m) above normal at Otorohanga on the night of the 1st.
Flooding
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Tairua
Flooding cut the traffic to and from the township on the 31st of May.
Farmland in the area was inundated.
Heavy Rain
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Te Aroha
Te Aroha recorded 2.94 in (7.47 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 1st of June.
Flooding
Waihou River peaked at 28.6 ft (8.72 m) on the night of the 1st in Te Aroha.
High Wind / Gust
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Thames
Gale force easterly winds estimated at 45 and 50 miles per hour (72-80 km/hr) accompanied by driving rain hammered the Thames and Coromandel Peninsula on the 30th and 31st of May.
A motor launch, 19 feet in length, was dragged from its moorings in heavy seas at Ngarimu Bay and was blown into the Firth by gale force winds. The boat was valued at £1000 ($38,000 2010 dollars).
Heavy Rain
Thames recorded 1.07 in (2.72 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 9am on the 31st of May.
Multi Hazard
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Whitianga
All roads to Whitianga were blocked. The road over Tapu Hill from Mercury Bay was blocked by a serious slip and was estimated that it would take three or four days to clear. The road south through Tairua was blocked by floodwaters, as was the Kaimarama-Whitianga section of Highway 25.
High Wind / Gust
A big game launch received minor damage when she broke from her moorings and was blown towards the beach.
A 25 square feetarea of glass at one end of a verandah was shattered by wind and glass splinters were blown 30 feet away.
Bay of Plenty
Flooding
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Bay of Plenty
A bigger flood developed in the Rangitaiki River from 31st May to 1st June. The Tarawera River was in a major flood and the Whakatane River also rose to a very high level.
While the breach in the Rangitaiki River was being sealed with 10,000 cubic yards of rock filling, a flood broke through at the same point on 1st June, taking pumping equipment with it. Re-sealing the breach required an additional 14,000 cubic yards of rock and more pumping equipment.
The second flood also breached the Kopeopeo Western Canal stopbank, and inundated 4,000 acres (16.19 km^2) of dairy land in the Thornton-Orini-Powdrells Road area.
In the Thornton-Whakatane area rivers and streams covered over 10,000 acres (40.47 km^2) of good dairy farmland. A total of 8,250 acres (33.39 km^2) of generally high producing land on the Rangitaiki Plains was inundated. The flooded areas were unlikely to be fit for grazing before February.
Eight farm houses had to be evacuated.
Some areas were under water for as long as eight weeks.
At least 2,000 acres (8.09 km^2) of pasture was affected to the extent that it had to be resown or oversown.
No stock losses were reported.
Production losses for the ensuing season would be equivalent to some 400,000 lbs of butterfat.
The cost of repairing stopbanks and dewatering flooded areas was around £75,000 ($2,799,000 2008 dollars).
The Tauranga-Rotorua highway was cut on the night of the 1st of June near Te Puke and the Tauranga-Matamata road was open only to one-way traffic. The Whakatane-Rotorua main highway was under water.
Extensive slips, washouts and floodwaters east of Rotorua and south to Gisborne closed a number of roads to traffic.
The flood in parts of the Bay of Plenty was reported to be the worst in 30 years.
The storm interrupted train and bus schedules.
About 35 farms were affected by the flooding.
Large numbers of stock were roaming the roads searching for food. Many farmers were faced with either sending their cows to dry farms or selling them.
Long distance telephone circuits between Auckland and some parts of Northland and the Bay of Plenty were out of action.
Schools in Taneatua, Whakatane and Edgecumbe were all closed because of flooding.
Landslide
The Murupara railway branch was closed through severe slips.
Flooding
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Awaiti Canal
19 farmhouses in the Awaiti area on the banks of the Tarawera River were evacuated.
It was the worst flood since 1925.
Flooding
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Awakaponga
The Tarawera River at Awakaponga reached a gauge height of 5.96 ft (1.82 m) on the 2nd.
The Tarawera River at Awakaponga had a peak discharge of 3311 cusecs (93.8 cumecs) on the 2nd, with a catchments area of 256 sq miles (663 km^2). This was the maximum flood recorded.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaimai Range
Kaimai Ranges received 12.10 in (30.73 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
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Kaituna River
The Kaituna River at Lake Rotoiti Outlet reached a gauge height of 8.2 ft (2.50 m) on the 2nd.
The Kaituna River at Lake Rotoiti Outlet had a peak discharge of 1938 cusecs (54.9 cumecs) on the 2nd, with a catchments area of 244 sq miles (632 km^2). This was the maximum flood recorded.
The Kaituna River breached its stopbanks in several places.
Kaituna River flooded about 2000 acres (8.09 km^2) near Te Puke.
Landslide
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Lake Okataina
There was a large slip close to Okataina.
Flooding
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Mount Maunganui
Water was two feet (0.61 m) deep in the streets of Mount Maunganui.
Landslide
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Ohope
A clay cliff collapsed on a 47 year old man at Ohope when he was feeding his fowls.
Flooding
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Rangitaiki River
Rangitaiki River was more than 18 ft (5.49 m) above normal.
The stopbanks burst in several places and inundated more than 700 acres (2.83 km^2) of farmland.
The Thornton basin was under water.
About £500 ($19,000 2010 dollars) worth of Ministry of Works pumping equipment was swept by floodwater when the Rangitaiki River burst its banks.
Landslide
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Omanawa
There was a large slip at Omanawa which blocked access to the electricity station.
Heavy Rain
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Rotorua
Rotorua recorded over 6 in (15.24 cm) of rain in 36 hours.
Flooding
The rain raised the level of Lake Rotorua to 917.7 feet (279.7 m) above sea level, more than two feet (0.61 m) above its normal level and the highest ever known.
Water was 15 in (0.38 m) deep over the camping grounds of the Lakeside Motor Camp.
Water flowed over the lower end of Tutanekai Street. Memorial Park, on the lake shore, was covered with water.
High Wind / Gust
The high level of the lake, whipped by strong winds, eroded the foreshore badly. Two cabins at the Lakeside Motor Camp in Whittaker Road were in danger of collapsing into the lake. The heavy pounding of the waves damaged many lake-front sections.
A small jetty alongside the main wharf was broken up and washed away.
Flooding
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Tarawera River
The Tarawera River overtopped its stopbanks at a number of places on the 2nd, and at two points the stopbanks were breached.
The most serious breach, of 200 ft (60 m) long, was in the Awaiti Canal area, where 2,000 acres (8.09 km^2) were inundated.
Altogether, 2,600 acres (10.52 km^2) were flooded.
About four weeks after the break-though, the breach was finally sealed using long sheet steel piling back filled with rocks.
Heavy Rain
at
Tauranga
Tauranga recorded 1.17 in (2.97 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Flooding
The water supplies were cut as a result of a blockage in the intake to the filter plant at Oropi and a break in the pipeline at Judea.
No planes were able to use the Tauranga airport, which was under water.
The flood-swollen Wairoa River eroded part of the State highway 29 about 11-12 miles from Tauranga and part of the sealing slipped into the river.
Flooding
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Te Matai
The Kaituna River at Te Matai reached a gauge height of 11.81 ft (3.60 m) on the 1st.
The Kaituna River at Te Matai had a peak discharge of 14,800 cusecs (419 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 366 sq miles (948 km^2).
Flooding
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Te Teko
The Rangitaiki River at Te Teko reached a gauge height of 39.38 ft (12.00 m) on the 1st.
The Rangitaiki River at Te Teko had a peak discharge of 15,900 cusecs (450 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 1,140 sq. miles (4.61 km^2).
The Rangitaiki River breached its banks in Te Teko and flooded about 200 acres (81 ha) of farmland near the township.
Multi Hazard
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Waioeka Gorge
The Waioeka Gorge was closed at night but could be used during the day.
Flooding
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Whakatane
Overflows from the Waioho and Te Raha canals left a total of 1,650 acres (6.68 km^2) of land under water.
The de-watering operation was not completed until late July.
Some houses were evacuated.
Roads throughout the county were in poor shape. Some roads were blocked by slips, metal was washed away and many were seriously affected by scouring and washouts.
Taranaki
Landslide
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Lake Mangamahoe
A sliding hillside crashed into the Mangamahoe power house and the surrounding buildings. The power house workshop, housing large and valuable equipment, was wrecked. A verandah of a hillside house was smashed off.
The damage was estimated at thousands of pounds.
The slide put out of action complex equipment used in the ripple control of water heaters and automatic switching gear for the city street lighting and under-verandah lighting.
Clay from the bank was piled up to 8 feet (2.44 m) deep.
Water gushed from burst pipes on the hillside and around the buildings.
Marlborough
Flooding
at
Avon River
The Avon River between Summerlands and Avon had a peak discharge of 7,070 cusecs (200 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 71.59 sq. miles (185 km^2).
Flooding
at
Bartletts Creek
Bartletts Creek 1/4 mile above the Wairau Confluence had a peak discharge of 6,150 cusecs (174 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 28.35 sq. miles (73.4 km^2).
Flooding
at
Birch Hill Creek
Birch Hill Stream 1 mile, 64 chains (2.9 km) above Wairau had a peak discharge of 1,350 cusecs (38.2 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 8.35 sq. miles (21.6 km^2).
Flooding
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Blenheim
The Taylor River at the Recorder reached a gauge height of 281.7 ft (85.86 m) on the 1st.
The Taylor River at the Recorder had a peak discharge of 3,290 cusecs (93 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 26.5 sq. miles (69 km^2).
Flooding
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Boundary Creek
Boundary Creek 1/4 mile above the possible dam site had a peak discharge of 2,820 cusecs (79.9 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 14.97 sq. miles (38.8 km^2).
Flooding
at
Branch River
The Branch River at the Recorder reached a gauge height of 1251.5 ft (381.46 m) on the 1st.
The Branch River at the Recorder had a peak discharge of 26,500 cusecs (750 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 224 sq. miles (580 km^2).
Flooding
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Daltons Bridge
The Pelorus River at Daltons Bridge had a peak discharge of 44,400 cusecs (1257 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 250 sq. miles (647 km^2).
Flooding
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Goulter River
The Goulter River 48 chains (965 m) above the Wairau Confluence had a peak discharge of 12,730 cusecs (360 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 62 sq. miles (161 km^2).
Flooding
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Kaituna
The Kaituna River at the State Highway Bridge had a peak discharge of 4,960 cusecs (140 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 42 sq. miles (109 km^2).
Are Are Creek 1/2 mile above Kaituna-Tuamarina Road had a peak discharge of 1,440 cusecs (40.8 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 11.14 sq. miles (28.9 km^2).
Flooding
at
Marchburn River
The Marchburn River 2 1/4 miles above the Wairau Confluence had a peak discharge of 940 cusces (26.6 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 9.24 sq. miles (23.9 km^2).
Flooding
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Onamalutu River
The Onamalutu River 10 chains (200 m) below Onamalutu School had a peak discharge of 4,520 cusecs (128 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 19.91 sq. miles (51.6 km^2).
Flooding
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Pine Valley Stream
Pine Valley Stream 1 mile above the Wairau Confluence had a peak discharge of 2,810 cusecs (79.6 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 10.67 sq. miles (27.6 km^2).
Flooding
at
Pukaka Stream
Pukaka Stream at Thomas' Road Bridge reached a gauge height of 10.6 ft (3.23 m) on the 1st.
Pukaka Stream at Thomas' Road Bridge had a peak discharge of 740 cusecs (21.0 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 8.75 sq. miles (22.7 km^2).
Flooding
at
Saltwater Stream
Saltwater Stream 1/4 mile above the Wairau Confluence had a peak discharge of 1,630 cusecs (46.2 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 9.80 sq. miles (25.4 km^2).
Flooding
at
Timms Creek
Timms Stream 10 chains (200 m) above the Aniseed Creek Confluence had a peak discharge of 3,660 cusecs (104 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 13.2 sq. miles (34.2 km^2).
Flooding
at
Top Valley Stream
Top Valley Stream at Slope Area Reach had a peak discharge of 249 cumecs on the 1st, with a catchment area of 78 km^2.
Flooding
at
Tuamarina
The Wairau River at Tuamarina reached a gauge height of 7.483 m on the 1st.
The Wairau River at Tuamarina had a peak discharge of 3651 cumecs on the 1st, with a catchment area of 3432 km^2.
Flooding
at
Waihopai River
The Waihopai River at Craiglochart reached a gauge height of 165.034 m on the 1st.
The Waihopai River at Craiglochart had a peak discharge of 804 cumecs on the 1st, with a catchment area of 764 km^2.
Flooding
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Waikakaho
The Waikakaho River at Waikakaho Road had a peak discharge of 4,890 cusecs (138 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 22.05 sq. miles (57.1 km^2).
Flooding
at
Wakamarina River
The Wakamarina River 1/2 mile above the State Highway bridge had a peak discharge of 22,600 cusecs (640 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 165 sq. miles (427 km^2).
Flooding
at
Wye River
The Wye River at the Recorder reached a gauge height of 1272.31 ft (387.80 m) on the 1st.
The Wye River at the Recorder had a peak discharge of 3,520 cusecs (99.7 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 16.84 sq. miles (43.6 km^2).
The Wye River at Thomson Forge reached a gauge height of 387.8 m on the 1st.
The Wye River at Thomson Forge had a peak discharge of 43.5 cumecs on the 1st.
Parker Stream 1/2 mile above the Wye Confluence had a peak discharge of 719 cusecs (20.4 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 5.65 sq. miles (14.6 km^2).
Tasman-Nelson
Flooding
at
Collins River
The Collins River at Drop Structure Recorders reached a gauge height of 3.51 ft (1.07 m) on the 1st.
The Collins River at Drop Structure Recorders had a peak discharge of 1,275 cusecs (36.1 cumecs), catchment area 6.8 sq. miles (17.6 km^2).
Landslide
at
Nelson
A house was damaged beyond repair and seven or eight others to a lesser degree by a landslip on a hillside in the residential area of Tahunanui on the night of the 1st of June.
The slip covered an area of two acres between Bisley Ave and Rocks Road.
Flooding
at
Roding River
The Roding River at the N.C.C. Weir reached a gauge height of 7.72 ft (2.35 m) on the 1st.
The Roding River at the N.C.C. Weir had a peak discharge of 4,275 cusecs (121 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 15.1 sq. miles (39.1 km^2).
Flooding
at
Wairoa River
The Wairoa River at the Gorge Recorder reached a gauge height of 16 ft (4.88 m) on the 1st.
The Wairoa River at the Gorge Recorder had a peak discharge of 43,500 cusecs (1232 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 179 sq. miles (464 km^2).
References
- Headline: Mercury Bay Again Buffeted By Storms.
- Coromandel and Mercury Bay Gazette, 13 June (Wednesday) 1962.
- Hydrology Annual, No.10, 1962. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Kennedy, D.S. (1963). Notes on Recent Major Floods in the Waikato Valley, Hauraki Plains and Bay of Plenty. N.Z Engineering, January 15,1963.
- Owen, R.E. (1969). Hydrology Annual No.16, 1968. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Wellington, NZ: The Ministry of Works.
- Shearer, A.R. (1969). Hydrology Annual, No.14 1966. Published by the Ministry of Works, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Shearer, A.R. (1970). Hydrology Annual, No. 15, 1967, Part 1. Government Printer, Wellington, Water and Soil Division, New Zealand.
- Headline: Pleasure launch blown ashore at height of gale at Whitianga.
- Thames Star, 1 June (Friday) 1962.
- Headline: Gale Force Winds Buffet Peninsula.
- Thames Star, 31 May (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: Launch disappears from Ngarimu Bay moorings.
- Thames Star, 31 May (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: Big Waves Pound Lake Front.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 June (Friday) 1962.
- Headline: Gales Lash Province, Power Supplies Interrupted.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 June (Friday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 June (Friday) 1962.
- Headline: Farms Flooded, Repaired Banks Collapse.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Highest Lake Level Yet.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Huge Slide Envelopes Power Works.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Man Dies Under Falling Cliff, Trail of Damage Left by Storm.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m.
- The New Zealand Herald, 26 May (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m.
- The New Zealand Herald, 29 May (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m.
- The New Zealand Herald, 30 May (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 31 May (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: Winds, Rain Delay Transport.
- The New Zealand Herald, 31 May (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: Farmers Flee Tarawera, Houses on Banks Abandoned.
- The New Zealand Herald, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Landslipe Carries Away Houses, Families Leave Damaged Homes.
- The New Zealand Herald, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Stock Being Sold Off Many Farms.
- The New Zealand Herald, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 June (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: Tarawera Stops Rising But Floods Remain, Stock Roam Roads.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 June (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: Will ask minister to inspect slip havoc.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 June (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: Bad Road Access Delays River Repair.
- The New Zealand Herald, 6 June (Wednesday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 6 June (Wednesday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 7 June (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: Flood Repairs Under Way.
- The New Zealand Herald, 9 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Hamilton Misses Worsr of Storm: East Coast Hit.
- Waikato Times, 1 June (Friday) 1962.
- Headline: Northland Railway And Roads Blocked.
- Waikato Times, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Storm Abating But Many Roads Still Impassable.
- Waikato Times, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Tauranga water supply restored but unfiltered.
- Waikato Times, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Little Change In Flood Situation: Delay To Repairs.
- Waikato Times, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Part Of Highway Slips Into River.
- Waikato Times, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Rivers Rise But No Flood Damage In Waikato Area.
- Waikato Times, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
May-June 1962 New Zealand Flooding ( 1962-05-31 )
New Zealand
Multi Hazard
at
New Zealand
Duration: 3 days - From the 31st May to the 2nd June.
An active depression over the Tasman Sea was moving eastward. The associated warm front was expected to cross the Auckland area on the 31st. The complex low pressure system crossed New Zealand on the 31st moving south-east.
North Island
Flooding
at
North Island
The floods in the Waikato and Bay of Plenty in May and June caused a loss of around £400,000 ($14,930,000 2008 dollars).
Maritime / Coastal
Launches and other small craft were driven ashore and smashed at several places including Manly and Whitianga.
Northland
Flooding
at
Northland
The main northern railway line was under water at Matatau following heavy rain on the 31st of May.
The central highway north was closed on the night of the 31st in the Mangamuka Gorge and at Rangiahua. The Kawakawa-Paihia road was flooded at high tide. Two major roads in Northland were still blocked on the 2nd of June due to floodwaters.
Internal air services were disrupted. Kaitaia, Kaikohe and Whangarei aerodromes were closed.
High Wind / Gust
at
Cape Reinga
A wind speed of 60 miles an hour (97 km/hr) was reported in Cape Reinga on the 30th of May.
Heavy Rain
at
Dargaville
Dargaville recorded 1.32 in (3.35 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Flooding
Three roads in the Dargaville area were blocked which were the main road north through the Waipoua Forest and the Waihue and Avoca roads.
Flooding
at
Kaihu River
The Kaihu River at the Gorge reached a gauge height of 203.91 ft (62.15 m) on the 31st.
The Kaihu River at the Gorge had a peak discharge of 10,710 cusecs (303 cumecs) on the 31st, with a catchment area of 44 sq. miles (114 km^2).
Heavy Rain
at
Kaikohe
Kaikohe recorded 2.68 in (6.81 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaitaia
Kaitaia recorded 1.40 in (3.56 cm) of rain between noon to 6pm on the 30th.
Kaitaia recorded 2.97 in (7.54 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Flooding
River levels were 17 feet (5.18 m) and 10 feet (3.05 m) above normal on the night of the 31st.
Flooding
at
Kawakawa
Kawakawa township was without water on on the night of the 31st. Floods broke the water supply pipes.
Flooding
at
Mangakahia River
The Mangakahia River at the Gorge reached a gauge height of 129.34 ft (39.42 m) on the 31st.
The Mangakahia River at the Gorge had a peak discharge of 36,600 cusecs (1036 cumecs) on the 31st, with a catchment area of 93 sq. miles (241 km^2).
The Mangakahia River at Purua Bridge reached a gauge height of 286.48 ft (87.32 m) on the 2nd.
The Mangakahia River at Purua Bridge had a peak discharge of 4,910 cusecs (139 cumecs) on the 2nd, with a catchment area of 209 sq. miles (541 km^2).
The Mangakahia River at Lewis Bridge reached a gauge height of 293.38 ft (89.42 m) on the 2nd.
The Mangakahia River at Lewis Bridge had a peak discharge of 4,850 cusecs (137 cumecs) on the 2nd, with a catchment area of 203 sq. miles (526 km^2).
The Mangakahia River at Jordan Bridge reached a gauge height of 294.19 ft (89.67 m) on the 2nd.
The Mangakahia River at Jordan Bridge had a bank overflow on the 2nd, with a catchment area of 144 sq. miles (373 km^2).
Flooding
at
Manganui River
The Manganui River at the Permanent Station reached a gauge height of 58.75 ft (17.91 m) on the 2nd.
The Manganui River at the Permanent Station had a peak discharge of 3,600 cusecs (102 cumecs) on the 2nd, with a catchment area of 161 sq. miles (417 km^2).
Flooding
at
Maropiu
The Kaihu River at Maropiu Bridge reached a gauge height of 46 ft (14.02 m) on the 31st.
The Kaihu River at Maropiu Bridge had a peak discharge of 11,100 cusecs (314 cumecs) on the 31st, with a catchment area of 63 sq. miles (163 km^2).
Flooding
at
Titoki
The Mangakahia River at Titoki Bridge reached a gauge height of 51.47 ft (15.69 m) on the 1st.
The Mangakahia River at Titoki Bridge had a peak discharge of 19,500 cusecs (552 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 308 sq. miles (798 cumecs).
Flooding
at
Waiotu River
The Waiotu River at the State Highway Bridge reached a gauge height of 307.09 ft (93.60 m) on the 1st.
The Waiotu River at the State Highway Bridge had a peak discharge of 2,130 cusecs (60.3 cumecs) on the 1st.
The Waiotu River at the Northern Overflow Bridge reached a gauge height of 308.19 ft (93.94 m) on the 1st.
The Waiotu River at the Northern Overflow Bridge had a peak discharge of 1,700 cusecs (48.1 cumecs) on the 1st.
Flooding
at
Wairua River
The Wairua River at Wairua Bridge reached a gauge height of 173.15 ft (52.78 m) on the 1st.
The Wairua River at Wairua Bridge had a peak discharge of 7,030 cusecs (199 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 273 sq. miles (707 km^2).
Auckland
Multi Hazard
at
Auckland
High winds and waves interrupted air services and delayed coastal shipping north of Auckland on the 30th.
High Wind / Gust
at
Auckland City
A gust of 50 miles an hour (80 km/hr) was recorded at Mechanics Bay at 9pm on the night of the 30th of May.
Multi Hazard
Boats were torn from their moorings and swept ashore at Manly, Stanmore Bay, Brown's Bay, Castor Bay, along the North Shore and in Auckland Harbour.
Water up to 2 ft (0.61 m) covered Tamaki Drive at Hobson Bay when the gale whipped up the full tide.
The electric power supply was disrupted in the Whitford, Grafton and Mt Eden districts.
Heavy Rain
Auckland recorded 1.47 in (3.73 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9pm on the 31st of May.
Flooding
at
Kaipara Flats
There was considerable surface flooding in the Kaipara Flats.
There were no stock losses reported.
Flooding
at
Papakura
The Papakura water supply was cut on the 1st of June.
Heavy Rain
at
Warkworth
Warkworth recorded 2.9 in (7.37 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
High Wind / Gust
at
Whangaparaoa Peninsula
There were numerous power failures in and around the Whangaparaoa Peninsula and Orewa, caused mainly by falling trees.
Heavy Rain
at
Whangarei
Whangarei recorded 1.5 in (3.81 cm) of rain between 9am and 9pm on the 30th of May.
Whangarei recorded 2.78 in (7.06 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Heavy Rain
at
Whenuapai
Whenuapai recorded 1.1 in (2.79 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Waikato
Multi Hazard
at
Waikato
The railway line suffered between Mangaiti and Pirohia due to flooding and slips and was closed on the 2nd.
Flooding
The Tapu-Whitianga Road was blocked by floodwaters and slips.
The Te Kuiti-Taumarunui road was closed.
The Te Aroha-Paeroa highway was closed and one of the detours was also washed out. The Waihi-Paeroa road and the Waihi-Tauranga road was closed.
The Waihou, Waitoa and Piako Rivers rose but did not cause much flooding.
High Wind / Gust
at
Colville
The telephone lines were out on the 31st of May due to high winds.
Heavy Rain
at
Coromandel
Coromandel recorded 3.85 in (9.78 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Heavy Rain
at
Hamilton
Hamilton recorded 4.86 in (12.34 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 1st of June.
Flooding
Rukuhia airport was closed on the 1st of June
Waikato River was 6.5 ft (1.98 m) above its normal level at Hamilton on the 2nd. The river at Ngaruwahia and Huntly rose 6 to 7 ft (1.83-2.13 m) above low winter level.
Flooding
at
Manaia
The Thames-Coromandel road was flooded at Manaia. The floodwaters were 12 to 15 inches (0.30-0.38 m) deep along the road for quarter of a mile on the 31st.
Flooding
at
Mangawara
Serious flooding was reported at Mangawara.
Flooding
at
Otorohanga
Waipa River was 14 ft (4.27 m) above normal at Otorohanga on the night of the 1st.
Flooding
at
Tairua
Flooding cut the traffic to and from the township on the 31st of May.
Farmland in the area was inundated.
Heavy Rain
at
Te Aroha
Te Aroha recorded 2.94 in (7.47 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 1st of June.
Flooding
Waihou River peaked at 28.6 ft (8.72 m) on the night of the 1st in Te Aroha.
High Wind / Gust
at
Thames
Gale force easterly winds estimated at 45 and 50 miles per hour (72-80 km/hr) accompanied by driving rain hammered the Thames and Coromandel Peninsula on the 30th and 31st of May.
A motor launch, 19 feet in length, was dragged from its moorings in heavy seas at Ngarimu Bay and was blown into the Firth by gale force winds. The boat was valued at £1000 ($38,000 2010 dollars).
Heavy Rain
Thames recorded 1.07 in (2.72 cm) of rain in 24 hours ending at 9am on the 31st of May.
Multi Hazard
at
Whitianga
All roads to Whitianga were blocked. The road over Tapu Hill from Mercury Bay was blocked by a serious slip and was estimated that it would take three or four days to clear. The road south through Tairua was blocked by floodwaters, as was the Kaimarama-Whitianga section of Highway 25.
High Wind / Gust
A big game launch received minor damage when she broke from her moorings and was blown towards the beach.
A 25 square feetarea of glass at one end of a verandah was shattered by wind and glass splinters were blown 30 feet away.
Bay of Plenty
Flooding
at
Bay of Plenty
A bigger flood developed in the Rangitaiki River from 31st May to 1st June. The Tarawera River was in a major flood and the Whakatane River also rose to a very high level.
While the breach in the Rangitaiki River was being sealed with 10,000 cubic yards of rock filling, a flood broke through at the same point on 1st June, taking pumping equipment with it. Re-sealing the breach required an additional 14,000 cubic yards of rock and more pumping equipment.
The second flood also breached the Kopeopeo Western Canal stopbank, and inundated 4,000 acres (16.19 km^2) of dairy land in the Thornton-Orini-Powdrells Road area.
In the Thornton-Whakatane area rivers and streams covered over 10,000 acres (40.47 km^2) of good dairy farmland. A total of 8,250 acres (33.39 km^2) of generally high producing land on the Rangitaiki Plains was inundated. The flooded areas were unlikely to be fit for grazing before February.
Eight farm houses had to be evacuated.
Some areas were under water for as long as eight weeks.
At least 2,000 acres (8.09 km^2) of pasture was affected to the extent that it had to be resown or oversown.
No stock losses were reported.
Production losses for the ensuing season would be equivalent to some 400,000 lbs of butterfat.
The cost of repairing stopbanks and dewatering flooded areas was around £75,000 ($2,799,000 2008 dollars).
The Tauranga-Rotorua highway was cut on the night of the 1st of June near Te Puke and the Tauranga-Matamata road was open only to one-way traffic. The Whakatane-Rotorua main highway was under water.
Extensive slips, washouts and floodwaters east of Rotorua and south to Gisborne closed a number of roads to traffic.
The flood in parts of the Bay of Plenty was reported to be the worst in 30 years.
The storm interrupted train and bus schedules.
About 35 farms were affected by the flooding.
Large numbers of stock were roaming the roads searching for food. Many farmers were faced with either sending their cows to dry farms or selling them.
Long distance telephone circuits between Auckland and some parts of Northland and the Bay of Plenty were out of action.
Schools in Taneatua, Whakatane and Edgecumbe were all closed because of flooding.
Landslide
The Murupara railway branch was closed through severe slips.
Flooding
at
Awaiti Canal
19 farmhouses in the Awaiti area on the banks of the Tarawera River were evacuated.
It was the worst flood since 1925.
Flooding
at
Awakaponga
The Tarawera River at Awakaponga reached a gauge height of 5.96 ft (1.82 m) on the 2nd.
The Tarawera River at Awakaponga had a peak discharge of 3311 cusecs (93.8 cumecs) on the 2nd, with a catchments area of 256 sq miles (663 km^2). This was the maximum flood recorded.
Heavy Rain
at
Kaimai Range
Kaimai Ranges received 12.10 in (30.73 cm) of rain in 24 hours.
Flooding
at
Kaituna River
The Kaituna River at Lake Rotoiti Outlet reached a gauge height of 8.2 ft (2.50 m) on the 2nd.
The Kaituna River at Lake Rotoiti Outlet had a peak discharge of 1938 cusecs (54.9 cumecs) on the 2nd, with a catchments area of 244 sq miles (632 km^2). This was the maximum flood recorded.
The Kaituna River breached its stopbanks in several places.
Kaituna River flooded about 2000 acres (8.09 km^2) near Te Puke.
Landslide
at
Lake Okataina
There was a large slip close to Okataina.
Flooding
at
Mount Maunganui
Water was two feet (0.61 m) deep in the streets of Mount Maunganui.
Landslide
at
Ohope
A clay cliff collapsed on a 47 year old man at Ohope when he was feeding his fowls.
Flooding
at
Rangitaiki River
Rangitaiki River was more than 18 ft (5.49 m) above normal.
The stopbanks burst in several places and inundated more than 700 acres (2.83 km^2) of farmland.
The Thornton basin was under water.
About £500 ($19,000 2010 dollars) worth of Ministry of Works pumping equipment was swept by floodwater when the Rangitaiki River burst its banks.
Landslide
at
Omanawa
There was a large slip at Omanawa which blocked access to the electricity station.
Heavy Rain
at
Rotorua
Rotorua recorded over 6 in (15.24 cm) of rain in 36 hours.
Flooding
The rain raised the level of Lake Rotorua to 917.7 feet (279.7 m) above sea level, more than two feet (0.61 m) above its normal level and the highest ever known.
Water was 15 in (0.38 m) deep over the camping grounds of the Lakeside Motor Camp.
Water flowed over the lower end of Tutanekai Street. Memorial Park, on the lake shore, was covered with water.
High Wind / Gust
The high level of the lake, whipped by strong winds, eroded the foreshore badly. Two cabins at the Lakeside Motor Camp in Whittaker Road were in danger of collapsing into the lake. The heavy pounding of the waves damaged many lake-front sections.
A small jetty alongside the main wharf was broken up and washed away.
Flooding
at
Tarawera River
The Tarawera River overtopped its stopbanks at a number of places on the 2nd, and at two points the stopbanks were breached.
The most serious breach, of 200 ft (60 m) long, was in the Awaiti Canal area, where 2,000 acres (8.09 km^2) were inundated.
Altogether, 2,600 acres (10.52 km^2) were flooded.
About four weeks after the break-though, the breach was finally sealed using long sheet steel piling back filled with rocks.
Heavy Rain
at
Tauranga
Tauranga recorded 1.17 in (2.97 cm) of rain in 24 hours to 9am on the 31st.
Flooding
The water supplies were cut as a result of a blockage in the intake to the filter plant at Oropi and a break in the pipeline at Judea.
No planes were able to use the Tauranga airport, which was under water.
The flood-swollen Wairoa River eroded part of the State highway 29 about 11-12 miles from Tauranga and part of the sealing slipped into the river.
Flooding
at
Te Matai
The Kaituna River at Te Matai reached a gauge height of 11.81 ft (3.60 m) on the 1st.
The Kaituna River at Te Matai had a peak discharge of 14,800 cusecs (419 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 366 sq miles (948 km^2).
Flooding
at
Te Teko
The Rangitaiki River at Te Teko reached a gauge height of 39.38 ft (12.00 m) on the 1st.
The Rangitaiki River at Te Teko had a peak discharge of 15,900 cusecs (450 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 1,140 sq. miles (4.61 km^2).
The Rangitaiki River breached its banks in Te Teko and flooded about 200 acres (81 ha) of farmland near the township.
Multi Hazard
at
Waioeka Gorge
The Waioeka Gorge was closed at night but could be used during the day.
Flooding
at
Whakatane
Overflows from the Waioho and Te Raha canals left a total of 1,650 acres (6.68 km^2) of land under water.
The de-watering operation was not completed until late July.
Some houses were evacuated.
Roads throughout the county were in poor shape. Some roads were blocked by slips, metal was washed away and many were seriously affected by scouring and washouts.
Taranaki
Landslide
at
Lake Mangamahoe
A sliding hillside crashed into the Mangamahoe power house and the surrounding buildings. The power house workshop, housing large and valuable equipment, was wrecked. A verandah of a hillside house was smashed off.
The damage was estimated at thousands of pounds.
The slide put out of action complex equipment used in the ripple control of water heaters and automatic switching gear for the city street lighting and under-verandah lighting.
Clay from the bank was piled up to 8 feet (2.44 m) deep.
Water gushed from burst pipes on the hillside and around the buildings.
Marlborough
Flooding
at
Avon River
The Avon River between Summerlands and Avon had a peak discharge of 7,070 cusecs (200 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 71.59 sq. miles (185 km^2).
Flooding
at
Bartletts Creek
Bartletts Creek 1/4 mile above the Wairau Confluence had a peak discharge of 6,150 cusecs (174 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 28.35 sq. miles (73.4 km^2).
Flooding
at
Birch Hill Creek
Birch Hill Stream 1 mile, 64 chains (2.9 km) above Wairau had a peak discharge of 1,350 cusecs (38.2 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 8.35 sq. miles (21.6 km^2).
Flooding
at
Blenheim
The Taylor River at the Recorder reached a gauge height of 281.7 ft (85.86 m) on the 1st.
The Taylor River at the Recorder had a peak discharge of 3,290 cusecs (93 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 26.5 sq. miles (69 km^2).
Flooding
at
Boundary Creek
Boundary Creek 1/4 mile above the possible dam site had a peak discharge of 2,820 cusecs (79.9 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 14.97 sq. miles (38.8 km^2).
Flooding
at
Branch River
The Branch River at the Recorder reached a gauge height of 1251.5 ft (381.46 m) on the 1st.
The Branch River at the Recorder had a peak discharge of 26,500 cusecs (750 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 224 sq. miles (580 km^2).
Flooding
at
Daltons Bridge
The Pelorus River at Daltons Bridge had a peak discharge of 44,400 cusecs (1257 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 250 sq. miles (647 km^2).
Flooding
at
Goulter River
The Goulter River 48 chains (965 m) above the Wairau Confluence had a peak discharge of 12,730 cusecs (360 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 62 sq. miles (161 km^2).
Flooding
at
Kaituna
The Kaituna River at the State Highway Bridge had a peak discharge of 4,960 cusecs (140 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 42 sq. miles (109 km^2).
Are Are Creek 1/2 mile above Kaituna-Tuamarina Road had a peak discharge of 1,440 cusecs (40.8 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 11.14 sq. miles (28.9 km^2).
Flooding
at
Marchburn River
The Marchburn River 2 1/4 miles above the Wairau Confluence had a peak discharge of 940 cusces (26.6 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 9.24 sq. miles (23.9 km^2).
Flooding
at
Onamalutu River
The Onamalutu River 10 chains (200 m) below Onamalutu School had a peak discharge of 4,520 cusecs (128 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 19.91 sq. miles (51.6 km^2).
Flooding
at
Pine Valley Stream
Pine Valley Stream 1 mile above the Wairau Confluence had a peak discharge of 2,810 cusecs (79.6 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 10.67 sq. miles (27.6 km^2).
Flooding
at
Pukaka Stream
Pukaka Stream at Thomas' Road Bridge reached a gauge height of 10.6 ft (3.23 m) on the 1st.
Pukaka Stream at Thomas' Road Bridge had a peak discharge of 740 cusecs (21.0 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 8.75 sq. miles (22.7 km^2).
Flooding
at
Saltwater Stream
Saltwater Stream 1/4 mile above the Wairau Confluence had a peak discharge of 1,630 cusecs (46.2 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 9.80 sq. miles (25.4 km^2).
Flooding
at
Timms Creek
Timms Stream 10 chains (200 m) above the Aniseed Creek Confluence had a peak discharge of 3,660 cusecs (104 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 13.2 sq. miles (34.2 km^2).
Flooding
at
Top Valley Stream
Top Valley Stream at Slope Area Reach had a peak discharge of 249 cumecs on the 1st, with a catchment area of 78 km^2.
Flooding
at
Tuamarina
The Wairau River at Tuamarina reached a gauge height of 7.483 m on the 1st.
The Wairau River at Tuamarina had a peak discharge of 3651 cumecs on the 1st, with a catchment area of 3432 km^2.
Flooding
at
Waihopai River
The Waihopai River at Craiglochart reached a gauge height of 165.034 m on the 1st.
The Waihopai River at Craiglochart had a peak discharge of 804 cumecs on the 1st, with a catchment area of 764 km^2.
Flooding
at
Waikakaho
The Waikakaho River at Waikakaho Road had a peak discharge of 4,890 cusecs (138 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 22.05 sq. miles (57.1 km^2).
Flooding
at
Wakamarina River
The Wakamarina River 1/2 mile above the State Highway bridge had a peak discharge of 22,600 cusecs (640 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 165 sq. miles (427 km^2).
Flooding
at
Wye River
The Wye River at the Recorder reached a gauge height of 1272.31 ft (387.80 m) on the 1st.
The Wye River at the Recorder had a peak discharge of 3,520 cusecs (99.7 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 16.84 sq. miles (43.6 km^2).
The Wye River at Thomson Forge reached a gauge height of 387.8 m on the 1st.
The Wye River at Thomson Forge had a peak discharge of 43.5 cumecs on the 1st.
Parker Stream 1/2 mile above the Wye Confluence had a peak discharge of 719 cusecs (20.4 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 5.65 sq. miles (14.6 km^2).
Tasman-Nelson
Flooding
at
Collins River
The Collins River at Drop Structure Recorders reached a gauge height of 3.51 ft (1.07 m) on the 1st.
The Collins River at Drop Structure Recorders had a peak discharge of 1,275 cusecs (36.1 cumecs), catchment area 6.8 sq. miles (17.6 km^2).
Landslide
at
Nelson
A house was damaged beyond repair and seven or eight others to a lesser degree by a landslip on a hillside in the residential area of Tahunanui on the night of the 1st of June.
The slip covered an area of two acres between Bisley Ave and Rocks Road.
Flooding
at
Roding River
The Roding River at the N.C.C. Weir reached a gauge height of 7.72 ft (2.35 m) on the 1st.
The Roding River at the N.C.C. Weir had a peak discharge of 4,275 cusecs (121 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 15.1 sq. miles (39.1 km^2).
Flooding
at
Wairoa River
The Wairoa River at the Gorge Recorder reached a gauge height of 16 ft (4.88 m) on the 1st.
The Wairoa River at the Gorge Recorder had a peak discharge of 43,500 cusecs (1232 cumecs) on the 1st, with a catchment area of 179 sq. miles (464 km^2).
References
- Headline: Mercury Bay Again Buffeted By Storms.
- Coromandel and Mercury Bay Gazette, 13 June (Wednesday) 1962.
- Hydrology Annual, No.10, 1962. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Kennedy, D.S. (1963). Notes on Recent Major Floods in the Waikato Valley, Hauraki Plains and Bay of Plenty. N.Z Engineering, January 15,1963.
- Owen, R.E. (1969). Hydrology Annual No.16, 1968. Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council. Wellington, NZ: The Ministry of Works.
- Shearer, A.R. (1969). Hydrology Annual, No.14 1966. Published by the Ministry of Works, The Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, Wellington, New Zealand.
- Shearer, A.R. (1970). Hydrology Annual, No. 15, 1967, Part 1. Government Printer, Wellington, Water and Soil Division, New Zealand.
- Headline: Pleasure launch blown ashore at height of gale at Whitianga.
- Thames Star, 1 June (Friday) 1962.
- Headline: Gale Force Winds Buffet Peninsula.
- Thames Star, 31 May (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: Launch disappears from Ngarimu Bay moorings.
- Thames Star, 31 May (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: Big Waves Pound Lake Front.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 June (Friday) 1962.
- Headline: Gales Lash Province, Power Supplies Interrupted.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 June (Friday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 1 June (Friday) 1962.
- Headline: Farms Flooded, Repaired Banks Collapse.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Highest Lake Level Yet.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Huge Slide Envelopes Power Works.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Man Dies Under Falling Cliff, Trail of Damage Left by Storm.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m.
- The New Zealand Herald, 26 May (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m.
- The New Zealand Herald, 29 May (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m.
- The New Zealand Herald, 30 May (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 31 May (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: Winds, Rain Delay Transport.
- The New Zealand Herald, 31 May (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: Farmers Flee Tarawera, Houses on Banks Abandoned.
- The New Zealand Herald, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Landslipe Carries Away Houses, Families Leave Damaged Homes.
- The New Zealand Herald, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Stock Being Sold Off Many Farms.
- The New Zealand Herald, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 June (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: Tarawera Stops Rising But Floods Remain, Stock Roam Roads.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 June (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: Will ask minister to inspect slip havoc.
- The New Zealand Herald, 5 June (Tuesday) 1962.
- Headline: Bad Road Access Delays River Repair.
- The New Zealand Herald, 6 June (Wednesday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 6 June (Wednesday) 1962.
- Headline: South Pacific Weather at 6 p.m. yesterday.
- The New Zealand Herald, 7 June (Thursday) 1962.
- Headline: Flood Repairs Under Way.
- The New Zealand Herald, 9 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Hamilton Misses Worsr of Storm: East Coast Hit.
- Waikato Times, 1 June (Friday) 1962.
- Headline: Northland Railway And Roads Blocked.
- Waikato Times, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Storm Abating But Many Roads Still Impassable.
- Waikato Times, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Tauranga water supply restored but unfiltered.
- Waikato Times, 2 June (Saturday) 1962.
- Headline: Little Change In Flood Situation: Delay To Repairs.
- Waikato Times, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Part Of Highway Slips Into River.
- Waikato Times, 4 June (Monday) 1962.
- Headline: Rivers Rise But No Flood Damage In Waikato Area.
- Waikato Times, 4 June (Monday) 1962.