Tauranga City Council has lifted the evacuation order in Mangatawa, in Pāpāmoa, which forced people to leave their properties due to a slip yesterday.
Around 150 people from the Mangatawa Marae, residents, and the office of Mangatawa Pāpāmoa Blocks Incorporated in Pāpāmoa were evacuated from 30 properties yesterday afternoon following a slip which brought a "risk to life and property".
The slip occurred near a water main pipe to the reservoir above the marae which had the potential to break should the land have subsided further.
In an update after 9pm last night, Tauranga City Council said the area was deemed safe.
"The water main pipe to the reservoir above Mangatawa Marae and Papakāinga housing has now been shut down and a temporary water connection will soon be in operation," Tauranga City Council Emergency Controller Tom McEntyre said.
He said three buildings have been issued a yellow placard, two of them homes, the other an outbuilding.
"Temporary accommodation has been provided for those affected and routine geotech assessments over the next few days could result in the placard being downgraded if the risk to the properties is reduced," McEntyre said.
“I’d like to thank the Mangatawa community who largely self-evacuated efficiently, helping speed up the process.
“We’re grateful to Te Whetū-o-Te Rangi Marae who took in some of the evacuees and provided meals as well as Hungahungatoroa Marae and Waikari Marae who also offered support to the community.”
The State of Emergency declared for Tauranga following the recent severe weather has been extended until Tuesday, February 3 as recovery operations and community support efforts continue across the city.
"Tauranga City Council is working alongside partner agencies to ensure public safety, support affected residents, and maintain access to essential services."
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