DoC shifts thousands of campers as Gita strikes West Coast

Cyclone Gita has been downgraded as it approaches central parts of New Zealand. A big band of rain is still expected to hit the west coast from Taranaki down to Buller and Nelson. Rain is falling in Wellington, Nelson and around Westport. The storm is due to strike the region later on Tuesday morning is expected to bring gale force winds, heavy rain and storm surges. In preparation the Department of Conservation has been trying to shift an estimated 10,000 visitors on the South Island's West Coast out of coastal campsites and into towns for the approaching ex Cyclone Gita. DoC's West Coast operations manager Mark Davies spoke to RNZ reporter Ian Telfer last night and told him DoC is doing everything it can to keep campers and trampers safe.