Porirua Landslide Forces Evacuations
Homes and Apartments Cleared After Cliff Collapse
A substantial landslip in Porirua this morning has triggered evacuations of two houses and a block of units. The incident occurred beneath a cliff in the suburb of Paremata, prompting an urgent response from emergency services.
Emergency Services Mobilize
Fire and Emergency NZ received the alert at approximately 9:38 am for a slip situated between Walker Avenue and Acheron Road. Two fire trucks from Paremata and Porirua, supported by a command checkpoint from Wellington, were dispatched to the scene. A spokesperson confirmed that two homes situated above the affected area, along with the breached apartments below, were safely evacuated. Search and Rescue deployed a drone for damage assessment, while the council sent a geotechnical engineer to evaluate the slip’s stability.
“We evacuated two houses above the cliff, as well as the apartments below that had been breached.”
—Fire and Emergency NZ Spokesperson
Residents Describe Terrifying Experience
Resident **Leilani Ah Koi** recounted the moment the earth moved, describing a loud, rumbling sound. “There was a loud noise, it sounded like some kind of wheelie bin rumbling kind of noise, then I looked outside to see a big part of the bank had come away,” she told 1News. **Ah Koi** and her neighbours quickly gathered essential belongings and pets before fleeing. She expressed relief that the event happened during daylight hours, noting it would have been considerably more frightening had it occurred at night.
Porirua City Council has classified the landslip as “moderate,” with up to three properties currently inaccessible. Engineers are working to determine when it will be safe for residents to return. Mayor **Anita Baker** conveyed her sympathies to the affected property owners, stating the council is collaborating with Fire and Emergency NZ and police to provide necessary assistance.
Landslides can occur due to various factors, including heavy rainfall saturating the ground. In the UK, for instance, heavy rainfall events have been linked to an increase in landslide incidents, with some areas experiencing more frequent ground movement following prolonged periods of wet weather (British Geological Survey).
Assessment and Ongoing Management
Fire and Emergency NZ confirmed that no roads were cordoned off as the landslip is now under the management of the local council. The focus remains on ensuring resident safety and assessing the long-term stability of the affected area.
