Homes evacuated due to 'hill on the move'

A slip is threatening one house and two others have been evacuated in Hunterville, in Manawatu.

A police spokeswoman said "the hill's on the move" in Stewart Street.

She said the road would be closed when the houses were evacuated.

Jonathan Monks said a neighbouring house had moved to within a foot of his parents' home.

"At the moment we're just moving sentimental things out of number six here, and there's a house that's been completely blocked, it's right up against our house at moment," he said. "A fair portion of the hillside has dropped off."

Mr Monks said the slip had stopped moving, but with more rain forecast for tonight he was not willing to take any chances.

Stewart Street is flat with a hill at the end of it, which has slipped away, Mr Monks said.

- NZPA