Story: Tsunamis

Gisborne Harbour flooded

The surges of the May 1960 Chile tsunami flooded Gisborne Harbour, and did widespread damage around the surrounding coast.

Don Ross, harbour master at Whitianga, describes the effects of the tsunami.

Sound file from Radio New Zealand Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Sound Archives Ngā Taonga Kōrero (Spectrum 787 – Coastal boats and tidal waves/Reference number CDR104).

Using this item

Tairawhiti Museum, Te Whare Taonga O Te Tairawhiti
Reference: 811-1

Permission of Tairawhiti Museum, PO Box 716, Gisborne, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page:

Eileen McSaveney, 'Tsunamis - 20th-century and recent tsunamis', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/speech/6236/gisborne-harbour-flooded (accessed 26 April 2024)

Story by Eileen McSaveney, published 12 Jun 2006, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2017