Strange noise puzzling Tauranga residents

Matakana Island where residents think the strange noise is coming from. Image: Daniel Hines/SunLive.

A strange noise happening all hours of the day and night, has left some Tauranga residents left puzzled.

Mark Watchman lives along Ngatai Road and says he first began hearing the noise over the weekend.

He says himself and many other neighbours in the area can hear regular loud booming noises coming from the Matakana Island direction.

He says the noise was still happening after 9pm on Wednesday night.

'It's fairly regular. Every two minutes or so.”

He says the noise can be heard when he is inside with the doors shut.

'I was thinking maybe a bird scaring device on crops on either Matakana or Rangiwaea, but then why would a bird scaring device be going overnight?”

SunLive went down to Fergusson Park to see if they could hear the noise for themselves.

To the reporter, it sounded like either a hammer on a tin roof, or someone clay bird shooting.

But the noise wasn't consistent. There would be one or two loud booms then nothing for three to four minutes.

SunLive have contacted the council to see if they have any information regarding the puzzling noise.

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6 comments

No big deal

Posted on 11-10-2019 07:32 | By RJP

Rangiwaea Island bird control, often hear it when out fishing in the harbour


Wow

Posted on 11-10-2019 08:06 | By Honesty is the best Policy

It might be a sea Creature or a ghost it mybe someone out rabbit or possum shooting birds land on vines at night or trees next to it so maybe that could be a bird scarer


It is a big deal

Posted on 11-10-2019 08:49 | By The Sage

Especially when it keeps going off until nearly midnight, as it has done at least 3 nights. It is an orchard on Matakana island and they have been spoken to about it. The rules are that it must be turned off 30 minutes after sunset. Last night we had our first peaceful night in close to a week. Some of the local dogs are traumatised as it sounds like fireworks.


Endangered Dotterels

Posted on 11-10-2019 10:40 | By Kevin

Very sad to think this may have an adverse effect on the endangered dotterels particularly if they are nesting.


Whale Scarer?

Posted on 11-10-2019 12:52 | By Sunchine

Glad that is being addressed. Best find another method of dealing with pest birds. (Sorry Rosella's that includes you). Surely it is unnecessary to operate it at night! We heard it after 8pm in the house with doors closed, trying to watch a movie. If hearing those regular explosions while out fishing on the water, you can be sure it is transmitting through the water too, disturbing sea mammals and stuffing up their sonar, sleep and meals too!


We could hear it at

Posted on 11-10-2019 15:40 | By lpm67

We could hear it at Waihi beach, several streets back from the beach....it was echoing off the hills behind....can't imagine how loud it would have been in Ngatai Rd.


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