8.00pm - Saturday 24 January 2026
Evacuations are underway on the East Coast in Onepoto and parts of Te Araroa due to landslide risks from the hills above.
Tairāwhiti CDEM Group Controller Ben Green says significant landslide risk had been identified but no geotech assessments have yet been completed.
“We need to be confident there is no risk to life and until this has been completed they will not be returning.
“When we visited Te Araroa yesterday we saw evidence of landslides in close proximity to houses and the potential risk to life is too great, until we understand what the geotech assessments come back with.”
The evacuations were led by Police and FENZ, supported by the community civil defence teams.
This will involve around 30 houses with evacuees either relocated to friends and whānau or within the community. Te Araroa FENZ are inside the risk zone and will be moving their appliance and equipment to an alternate site.
There is no indication on just how long people may be out of their homes, or whether they will be able to return given full and detailed geotechnical investigations need to be done.
Civil Defence teams in both locations have support plans in place and things are progressing smoothly with whānau accepting and understanding of the risks.
Image: Aerial view of Onepoto – supplied Ben Green.