Lyttelton landslide destroys home, forces late-night evacuations

A landslide in Christchurch’s Lyttelton has damaged a residence, made it uninhabitable, and forced the evacuation of nearby homes. According to the authorities, the landslide may have been triggered by water runoff from another property. Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) were called around 9 pm NZST on Thursday after debris from a slip on Ticehurst Road tumbled down onto a house on Hawkhurst Road.

Residents of the small town of South Island believe recent heavy rain may have triggered the slip. They say the water run-off in the area has been persistent for over a week.

Two homes remain evacuated, and a Civil Defence officer describes the damage as “significant.” Emergency services alerted a neighbouring resident, identified only as Tessa, and told her to prepare to leave her house at short notice.


The civil defense team advised her to prepare for evacuation, so she should pack a go-bag just in case. She said she is not sure the damage is yet. The rain has been pouring continuously for the past week.

A geotechnical assessment was conducted on Thursday night to determine the risk to neighboring properties. Inspectors examined Tessa’s shed and deck, which appeared old and unstable. Their initial conclusion was that there was no immediate threat to her home.

A Civil Defence duty officer confirmed that council geotechnical staff planned to begin further assessments Friday morning. No additional evacuations were made overnight.

Tessa shared the items she packed: “My phone, pyjamas, and teabags,” she said, bracing for the possibility of a sudden move.

This event follows a similar landslip in May, when heavy rain led to an evacuation on Cressy Terrace. Many in the community say landslides are a recurring threat in Lyttelton, as Lyttelton is prone to landslides during heavy weather due to its terrain and soil type.