Waikato Storm Database: Newspaper articles about storms affecting the Coromandel Peninsula

A newspaper search was undertaken to assist the gathering of historical information on storm events and their severity. This information was collated and stored in a 'Storm' database. This work is essentially a compilation of newspaper reports on over 300 historical storm events dating from 1868. Purpose: Part of the Regional Council Coastal Hazard Study to help identify long term trends and impacts of major storms.

Information within the "storm database" includes the following fields – storm date, type of storm, name of storm, wind speed, atmospheric pressure, water level, storm damage. Searching focused on newspaper archives from the Coromandel area (the main area of interest) and the New Zealand Herald. Initially, both the New Zealand Herald and the Waikato Times (and its predecessor the Waikato Argus) were searched. However, comparison of results for storm events indicated that the Herald reports were generally more extensive – probably because of its location in a coastal city (where coastal storms tend to be recorded) and the wider (national) circulation of this daily paper. A list of the papers searched is noted besides each storm event in the database. The newspaper archives were primarily located in the Hamilton Public Library (Waikato Times and Waikato Argus), University of Waikato library (New Zealand Herald), Thames Library (Thames Advertiser, Evening Star, Thames Star and Hauraki Herald) and the (then) Paeroa Gazette offices (Coromandel and Mercury Bay Gazette, Hauraki Plains Gazette, Thames Valley Gazette and Waihi Gazette).

Coromandel Peninsula

Coromandel Peninsula –

Nov 1990 – Feb 1991

This work commenced with the list of (about 180) coastal storms compiled for the Bay of Plenty by Hay (1991), adding further dates from a variety of published (particularly Barnett, 1938; Kerr, 1976; Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, 1957; Revell, 1981; Thompson et al., 1992) and unpublished sources (particularly council files and community information). Some storms were also identified by comparative references in newspaper reports of other events. A list of storms from August 1873 to the present (1990) was obtained and searches through newspapers concentrated on these dates. Cross-referencing of earlier storm events in newspaper reports was also used. A standard searching process was developed to ensure most available information on any particular event was able to be located. Searching of newspapers began 2-3 days before the given storm date to allow for possible errors in the date and to identify storm warnings and other information. If no articles related to the storm were located, searching was conducted for a week after the storm date to ensure no articles were missed. Any information relating to the storm was copied – including meteorological information, flooding reports, shipping delays and wrecks and storm damage reports. After compilation, all newspaper reports were reviewed, looking particularly for information on coastal erosion or flooding – especially around the Coromandel. In general, the reporting of coastal erosion and/or flooding in the Coromandel were spasmodic up until the 1930's. Frequency of collection: One off project

Depends on the consistent reporting of the media. Some storm events were not reported in newspapers, particularly the Waikato Times (inland). Gaps in collection: See below Data quality: Not reported Attribute accuracy: Not reported Completeness: The list of major storms for this period is believed to be reasonably comprehensive for the western Coromandel Coast.

The dates of the newspapers searched and all copied materials are contained in archives held by Environment Waikato. These archives could be scanned in the future. All copied materials have details of their source, date and newspaper page. Digital Format: Summaries of events in MS Word documents. Lists available of newspapers searched.

Coastal hazard zone identification

Freely available Sensitivity/Confidentiality: None

Finished