Land slips force closure of Auckland regional park

Waitawa Regional Park. File photo / Chris Gorman

Land slips have forced the closure of Waitawa Regional Park in east Auckland.

Auckland Council said significant slips caused by heavy rain had prompted closure of the park on Clevedon-Kawakawa Bay Rd until further notice.

The park received 192mm of rain over 13 hours on Saturday, with 145mm of that falling in just seven hours.

The slips have affected the hillside and road leading down to Mataitai Bay, the park's main beach, picnic area and wharf.

A geotechnical assessment will be carried out this week and earthmoving contractors will begin removing slip debris, the council said.

Due to the heavy machinery required to carry out this work, the park would remain closed, and there may be some restrictions in place when it reopened.

Signs were being put up at the main gate.