Residents from The Terrace in Wellington have been moved to hotels for the night while a major slip is being cleaned up.
The slip has occurred this afternoon.
Photo: RNZ / Charlotte Cook
The slip has affected the stability of a house and a large tree, Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said in a statement.
About eight properties had been evacuated because they were either in danger from the slip or if the tree fell, he said.
The Terrace is closed between Ghuznee Street and Buller Street.
Contractors have capped the gas main at either side of the slip as the ruptured gas lateral is buried below slip material which means that about 10 properties do not have a gas supply.
Te Aro School will open tomorrow and can be accessed from The Terrace or via Buller Street or Abel Smith Street.
Contractors would be onsite 24/7 monitoring the slip until further notice and a geotech engineer would assess the stability of the slip face and the bank tomorrow, MacLean said.
Earlier in the day, district manager of Fire and Emergency Wellington Nick Pyatt said emergency services had escorted some people into their homes – but others have had to leave.
Pyatt said he was keeping an eye on a large tree which was also threatening to come down.
Jessica Rains lives in a large house just above the slip and said she arrived home from work to be greeted by police and fire engines – and no sign of her nine flatmates.
“I just checked my messages before and a few of them are staying at our other mate’s house who is just up the hill. So I’ll go up there and hopefully they’ll get it sorted soon so we can get the stuff out of our flat.”
Rains said a large pool of water had formed under the deck after recent constant rain.
The council has also warned people that slips are starting to come down around steeper parts of the city and commuters should take care on their way home.
Emergency services are at the scene.
Photo: RNZ / Charlotte Cook
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