A luxury cruise ship expected to berth at the Port of Tauranga today has been turned away because of the wild weather pummelling the region.
The Azamara Journey was meant to arrive this morning but the weather was too wild.
Read more: Wild weather captured in pictures
Spokesman Johnathan Killick said it was likely the ship sailed further out to sea instead in search of calmer waters.
Mr Killick said the ship was now Wellington bound, as it was expected in the harbour there on the 10th.