Severe weather conditions have disrupted port operations in New Zealand's Tauranga port following strong winds during the early hours of Thursday, 26 March.

According to operational updates from the port, high winds prompted labour and crane crews to be placed on standby as precautionary measures. Vessel cargo operations were also suspended on Thursday.

The port added that sustained winds exceeded earlier forecasts and are likely to remain strong on Friday, 27 March. As a result, the anticipated resumption time for vessel container exchange operations was revised.

Operations are now scheduled to restart during the afternoon on Friday, 27 March. This timing remains dependent on weather developments.

The operational disruption coincides with a wider weather event affecting the Bay of Plenty region.

A deep subtropical low is forecast to generate prolonged heavy rain, elevated sea swells and strong northeasterly winds between Thursday and Friday.

New Zealand's MetService has issued an Orange Heavy Rain Warning for a 42-hour period on Thursday. The agency has also highlighted a high likelihood of the alert being escalated to a Red Heavy Rain Warning.

The forecast weather event is described as long in duration, with heavy rain expected to persist into Friday evening, alongside risks of severe flooding, slips and hazardous river conditions across the region.

For the latest port and vessel statuses or situation updates, please refer to the seaexplorer alert map.