Fresh evacuations are underway as two Bay of Plenty councils extended their local states of emergency after last week's storm.
This afternoon, Tauranga City Council said around 150 people from 30 properties were being evacuated from an area in Pāpāmoa due to fears that another slip could become deadly.
The area included the Mangatawa Marae and Papakāinga housing up to State Highway 2, near the southern end of Truman Lane.
"After last week’s heavy rainfall, a slip has occurred near a watermain pipe to the reservoir above the marae, which has the potential to break should the land subside further."
Tauranga City Council Emergency Controller Tom McEntyre said there was a "risk to life and property".
In an update, he said a reservoir and watermain were being assessed, and a geotech expert was onsite, looking at the slip.
He said the assessment would provide a "clear picture" of a timeline for when those evacuated could return home.
One of those evacuated, Khiarne Taite, told 1News that officers told him a pipeline had "exploded" at the top of the hill.
He said a lot of people in the community had been evacuated.
"They're telling us it's going to be bad," he said.
States of emergency extended
In a statement, the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence said its emergency management group had received support from the local mayors to extend the state of local emergency for Tauranga City and Western Bay of Plenty District councils.
The council areas encompassed the sites of two deadly landslides in Pāpāmoa and at Mt Maunganui, with two so far confirmed dead and six unaccounted for.
The extension came into force immediately before the initial state of emergency was lifted and remained in effect for the next seven days.
Cordons at Mt Maunganui moved
The council said the cordoned area around the slip at Mt Maunganui had been reduced to allow businesses on the Marine Parade side to reopen. Recovery teams remained on site as they worked to recover the six people unaccounted for.
Pedestrians could now access Marine Parade as far as Adams Ave.
"We request the public continue to recognise that the site is a hazardous area and to be respectful of the work underway.
"Although the road is closed to general traffic, there will be heavy trucks using the road to service the Mauao landslip area. Pedestrians should keep to the footpath unless crossing," Tauranga City Council said.
There was no public vehicle access to Marine Parade from Commons Ave, other than for residents and business owners.
Families and members of the community are paying tribute to the victims in the landslide at Mount Maunganui. (Source: 1News)
Meanwhile, cordoned fencing would be extended from Pilot Bay Beach to the Mount Main Beach.
"It is very important that we preserve the space that recovery agencies need to continue their important work. The purpose of the cordon is to manage risk to the public, enable police recovery operations on site and manage public access to ensure security and sensitivity."
Last week's heavy weather was particularlly devestating for the Tauranga/Mt Maunganui area, where multiple people were killed.
Desperate rescue operation after hillside tumbled into caravans and tents at popular beachside camp. (Source: 1News)
Six people remain unaccounted after becoming trapped when a landslide on Mt Maunganui ploughed through the nearby Beachside Holiday Park on Thursday. All six were presumed to be dead.
Earlier Thursday morning, a 10-year-old and his grandmother were killed in Pāpāmoa after a slip extensively damaged their house on Welcome Bay Rd.
A 47-year-old man was washed away while fording a river in Warkworth, and a body was recovered on Saturday.
States of emergency lifted in other regions
In other regions in Bay of Plenty, Ōpōtiki District Council would begin a transition period for the next 28 days, moving from an emergency to a recovery focus. Whakatāne District Council, Rotorua Lakes Council and Kawerau District Council wee no longer under states of local emergency.
"It has been a tough and devastating week for many, and we would like to acknowledge the resilience that the Bay of Plenty community has shown despite the challenging circumstances," Civil Defence said.
"We will continue our work and collaborate with other agencies and communities to ensure those who are still dealing with the aftermath of the severe weather get the support they need."
Further north, the state of emergency for the Tāmaki-Coromandel District Council ended today as the region moved to a recovery focus.
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