A yacht has been swept to shore, while a commercial longliner is taking on water and leaking fuel on the Coromandel Peninsula.
(File image). Photo: anpastor/123RF
Some motorists returning home from Coromandel to Auckland after the long weekend face two-hour delays.
The north of the North Island has been hit by bad weather with Coromandel copping the worst of it.
It has caused multiple small slips, damaged a fishing vessel which is leaking fuel into the sea, and closed State Highway 25a, adding hours to the trip home for some.
The Waikato Regional Council says the longliner in Whangamatā Harbour is still attached to its mooring but is listing.
Its 500-litre diesel fuel tank is leaking into the sea.
The coastguard was stopped from helping due to choppy seas and high wind.
The council hoped to begin salvage operations in the morning.
Regional on scene commander Derek Hartley said the weather conditions meant the council could not use its marine oil spill equipment.
A separate yacht that was swept onto the shore at Whitianga has been secured.
It comes after MetService warned the North Island was likely to get a lashing of wind and rain, which has resulted in debris and slips on the roads and partial closures for motorists.
MetService says the heavy rain and wind is set to continue for Coromandel, Bay of Plenty and Waikato until tomorrow morning.