Data kindly supplied by NIWA, ECan, and Christchurch City Council.
Up until 9-Feb, the waves at the waverider buoy at Steep Head were sea waves (periods less than 8 s) from the northeast, then swell waves (periods greater than 8 s) from the east took over, peaking mid-afternoon on 9-Feb. The waves were high, but not extreme. Waves of this height occur several times a year.