More Nelson evacuations possible

Houses perched precariously above one of the slips in the Nelson and Tasman areas following torrential rain. Photo / supplied

Further evacuations are a possibility for residents in the cliff areas around Nelson due to the threat of slips after days of heavy rain.

Another 30 homes were evacuated from Grenville Terrace above Rocks Road in the city yesterday, as the ground continues to move days after the deluge.

Meanwhile around 100 residents remain cut off following a slip at Cable Bay. Supplies are being airlifted in, while Civil Defence is hoping access can be opened up to the settlement within a week.

The state of emergency is in place until at least midnight Tuesday, although it is likely to be extended a further seven days.

SH60 between Takaka and Collingwood is now open to one lane at Birds Hill, while Abel Tasman Drive is open with some restrictions.

Rocks Road in Nelson remains closed between 589 Rocks Rd and Magazine Point.

Tahunanui Beach, Ligar Bay, Pohara Beach, Tata Beach, all beaches at Motueka and all beaches between Rabbit and Rough islands remain closed until further notice.

Nelson Mayor Aldo Miccio told Radio New Zealand this morning the water situation is still precarious.

A helicopter flight over the weekend found there has been about eight slips under the Maitai pipeline, which supplies water to all of Nelson.

"We've had engineers walk the entire length of the actual pipeline and there has been a couple of spots that are a threat if there are further slips, but the rest is stable and we are getting workers up there to stabilise weak spots."

Mr Miccio said there were contingencies in place, with secondary dams stocked with water just in case the pipeline is broken.

"There will be water but it would be rationed if the pipeline was to go.

Around 30 homes were evacuated from Grenville Terrace between Rocks Rd and Bisley Avenue after a geotechnical inspection found land movements above the Rocks Rd slip.

"Rocks Rd is proving quite a major problem," Mr Miccio said. "The road is still shut, it's shut indefinitely because of the threat of slips. The rain has stopped but there is still movement.

"It is a live situation, we are still officially in a response stage - between the pipeline, Cable Bay, Rocks Rd - there are still live events."

Mr Miccio said experts are continuing to evaluate the land in at risk areas.

"We wouldn't rule out the possibility of more evacuations as we do further assessments and investigations."

Mr Miccio said around 300 red-stickered homes have been inspected. He said one of the most important goals was to have everyone back in their homes by Christmas.

"The number one priority is making sure everyone is safe, we have to make sure we protect lives. We just want everyone to be patient as we work through this."