KEY POINTS:
The discovery of significant new cracks on cliff-side land at Bucklands Beach has prompted the Manukau City Council to again warn people not to wander in the area because of the danger.
The council issued a new warning for people to stay away from the foreshore area of Eastern Beach, after cracks were discovered at 116 Clovelly Road .
Council economic director Rick Walden said the cracks indicated substantial new movement since yesterday.
"Again, it's imperative that people stay away from the foreshore area of Eastern Beach.
"Put bluntly, people wandering in this area put their lives at risk."
Widening cracks further back on the same property which extended across the public walkway and into 118 Clovelly Road also indicated extensive land movement, he said.
Rocks on the foreshore were also cracking and fracturing.
The rocks were the "keystone" to the cliff face and new cracks were observed yesterday in rocks towards the foreshore area below 116 and 118 Clovelly Road.
Mr Walden said many people were directly affected by the slip and the council was working with the residents who have had to move out of their homes, communicating with them every day to keep them updated.
Residents from 114 to 120 Clovelly Rd as well as seaward units at 122 and 124 were evacuated after geotechnical advisers said that when the cliff face did fall, the slip could come close to these dwellings.
Already parts of the ground had slumped about two metres, with some trees having fallen part-way down the cliff, and one to the foreshore.
Security guards are at the site to warn of the danger and experts were also monitoring the area.
The condemned houses include the million-dollar home of former Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis, who said problems had begun three or four years ago when a small crack developed in the side of the building and was immediately identified as being the result of a landslip.
- NZPA
