Heavy sea swells of up to eight metres had been forecast for Wellington's south coast, causing a local state of emergency to be declared for the city's Southern and Eastern wards.
People from about 70 houses at Breaker Bay were told to evacuate - though not everyone did, with some choosing to stay.
One of them was James Dwight who stuck it out overnight despite the order to evacuate
He spoke to Susie Ferguson, along with Ōwhiro Bay resident Eugene Doyle.
