KEY POINTS:
More houses have been evacuated in the east Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach as the community waits for a slip to fall.
Manukau City Council today asked residents at 120 and the seaward units of 122 and 124 Clovelly Road to move out as a precaution, because of a slip caused by rock failure close to their properties.
This action followed Monday's evacuation of people from the properties at 114, 116 and 118 Clovelly Road, which were directly affected by the rock movement.
The council's economic director, Rick Walden, said the evacuation was precautionary, because the council's geotechnical advisers had advised that when the cliff face did fall, the slip could come close to these dwellings.
"Our primary concern is always for people's safety," Mr Walden said.
"We would prefer that we err on the side of caution. We understand that this is distressing for the people involved, but life must always take precedence over property, hence today's request."
It was not a case of if, but when, the crumbling cliff-face collapsed, engineers have said.
When it goes it will take up to three properties with it, including the million-dollar plus home of former Manukau mayor Sir Barry Curtis.
Yesterday, Sir Barry described his emergency evacuation at the weekend as "shattering".
"You've got to go through this kind of experience, with glass breaking around you at two in the morning and loud cracks, to really appreciate that the movement of earth can be extremely dangerous," he said.
Problems with his home began 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, he said.
"But it's really over the last week or 10 days that the landslip has accelerated and has now just destroyed the home."
At the time the first cracks appeared, Sir Barry said he sought "expert advice".
He said he was unable to elaborate because of the legal implications.
The council has cordoned off the directly affected area, to prevent people wandering onto the site.
"However, we are also concerned that some people want to sight-see," Mr Walden said.
"We want to underline that this slip carries high risk and we do not know when it will fall but it could be any time."
The Eastern Beach foreshore in the vicinity had been signposted advising of the danger and should be avoided.
- NZPA
