Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Cruise ship braced, rivers rise after rain

Updated at 8:07 pm on 23 November 2011

A cruise ship required assistance in Wellington and rivers are being monitored in the Tasman and West Coast regions after a storm on Wednesday.

This followed a severe gale warning for the lower North Island from MetService on Wednesday as well as a heavy rain warning for the West Coast .

A tug boat had to brace the Sun Princess cruise ship against the wharf in Wellington when the vessel was buffeted by strong winds.

Harbourmaster Mike Pryce says the 260m vessel was undamaged and was able to leave.

Meanwhile, Tasman District Council is warning the lower Motueka River could flood on Wednesday evening.

Nelson Tasman Civil Defence emergency manager Roger Ball says rainfall in the ranges has caused the river to rise rapidly.

He says people should stay away from the river between the bridge on State Highway 60 and the river mouth.

The Motueka River is predicted to peak at 11pm on Wednesday without breaching its banks and then recede rapidly.

The West Coast Regional Council says the Grey and Buller Rivers are receding.

There is unlikely to be a repeat of the flooding in the Grey Valley on Monday.

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