Report on evacuated quake risk village due

Waihi Village has been evacuated due to fears the geothermal area in the hills above (inset) could give way and slide down towards the village. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Scientists are continuing to assess the Waihi Village area near Lake Taupo after a series of earthquakes put it at risk from a major landslip.

Fifty residents voluntarily evacuated their homes on Monday, after several earthquakes and heavy rain increased the risk of a landslide in the Hipaua thermal area above the village.

State Highway 41 between Tokaanu and Pukawa along the southern edge of Lake Taupo was closed over the weekend.

GNS Science specialists carried out an examination of the Hipaua Thermal area this morning.

Civil Defence said it expected to have a full report on the risk by tonight.

Civil Defence controller Shamus Howard said the report would be looked at alongside other reports about predicted weather patterns and the possibility of further earthquakes.

"It is still too early to make any calls this morning, but we will continue to assess the data as it comes to hand," he said.

"We are looking forward to having the GNS report coming through quicker than expected enabling us to make more accurate predictions later today."

Mr Howard said SH41 would remain closed and the village would remain evacuated until a final decision was reached.

"We are aware of the inconvenience caused by the closure, but the safety of the residents and motorists is still our main concern at this stage."

E leven metal pins were placed in historically unstable parts of the hill yesterday to monitor for any signs of movement, and several more were to be put in today.

GNS Science said no significant signs of cracking or fallen rocks had been sighted, and birdlife had returned to the area.

Evacuated Waihi residents were sleeping at a welfare centre set up in the old Trust Board building in Tokaanu yesterday.

It was hoped the preliminary results from the report would be available for a meeting with the residents tonight.

- NZPA