Wairoa residents not in immediate danger from landslide

A large landslide between Wairoa and Gisborne was likely to have been triggered by a small earthquake earlier this month. Photo/Supplied

Wairoa residents are in no immediate danger from a landslide between Wairoa and Gisborne but people are being urged to keep away from the area.

The landslide, which has affected 25.8 hectares of land, has created a lake about 50 metres deep which is rising about 60cm a day.

It was likely to have been triggered by a small localised earthquake earlier this month and has resulted in about 80 million tonnes of material forming a large dam on the Mangapoike River (a small tributary of the Wairoa River).

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has been working with Wairoa District Council, Gisborne District Council and Hawke's Bay Regional Council to monitor the slip, which is still moving, on the boundary between Wairoa and Gisborne.

Wairoa District Council incident controller Kitea Tipuna said four properties in Wairoa downstream of the site had been made aware of the landslide but no water was leaking from the dam and there was no immediate danger.

"We're not in panic mode.

"There's no imminent risk to lives. It's a very rural, isolated area."

However, people were asked to stay away from the area and not try to view the slip themselves, he said.

Farmers had also been asked to move stock away from the landslide.

"We want to keep people informed and keep people away."

On the Wairoa side the only way the site could be accessed was through private property.

Data is still be gathered by the relevant authorities to find out more information about risks, causes, the amount of debris and what a final solution will be, Mr Tipuna said.

Hawke's Bay Civil Defence Group Manager Ian Macdonald previously said the slip had become a significant hazard and people were warned to stay away from it.

The dam might fail at any time and there is a significant amount of water behind the landslide, he said.

"We're working closely with Gisborne and Wairoa district councils, with support from Hawke's Bay Regional Council to assess the risk of dam failure and develop an ongoing management plan."

Specialised engineers engaged by Hawke's Bay Regional Council were at the site on Thursday.

Paparatu Rd is closed to the public because of this and appropriate signage has been installed.

There is no date for when the road will reopen at this stage.