Muriwai landslip: Emergency services respond to Domain Cres slip

A reporter on the scene said the slip had partially exposed the base of a power pole.

Vector has assessed the exposed power pole and said it was sturdy enough for the meantime but will likely be moved in a few days.

Firefighters are attending to a small slip on Domain Cres, Muriwai. Photo / Corey Fleming

A volunteer firefighter told the Herald the hill probably gave way after water couldn’t drain on the road above.

Dylan Butt, who was visiting his mum at the time, said even though it was “not a life-threatening slip”, there was still an element of PTSD from previous serious slips.

Police said Fire and Emergency was the lead agency on the incident and police could not provide further comment.

MetService had forecast heavy showers with possible thunderstorms for the Muriwai area this afternoon.

Strong westerlies with 90 km/h gusts in exposed places are forecast for this evening.

Paul Klinac, Auckland Council’s general manager engineering, assets and technical advisory, said the council has been made aware of a slip.

“The slip has partially affected road access and has been coned off so that further assessments can be carried out, but is still passable.

“Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded to the incident and has now left, while Auckland Transport has also despatched a team to assess the site and a further geotechnical assessment will be carried out in the morning.”

Firefighters attend to a small slip in Muriwai. Photo / Dean PurcellEmergency services are responding to a landslip in Muriwai on Auckland’s northwest coast. Photo / Dean Purcell

Previous Muriwai landslides

Multiple landslides have occurred at Muriwai in recent years.

In 2023, two people died in a huge landslide at the west coast beach during Cyclone Gabrielle, as firefighters scrambled to reach residents in a damaged house.

Firefighters Dr Dave Van Zwanenberg and Craig Stevens lost their lives as the storm tore through Auckland in the early hours of February 13, 2023.

Muriwai firefighters Dave van Zwanenberg (left) and Craig Stevens (right) both died after being caught in a landslide while helping at a damaged house in Muriwai during Cyclone Gabrielle.

Stevens was able to be rescued and was taken to hospital in a critical but stable condition following the slip. His colleague Van Zwanenberg’s body was recovered two days later.

Stevens succumbed to his injuries in hospital on February 16, a little over two weeks before his 40th birthday.

The 2023 landslide resulted in 128 homes being red-stickered and 48 yellow-stickered, on two roads.

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