Landslide recovery
Landslides can be triggered by heavy rainfall or earthquakes and range from small slips and rockfalls to slurry-like debris flows and large rock avalanches.
They’re a significant risk to rural properties and a major interruption to farm systems when they happen, impacting access routes and damaging infrastructure like tracks, culverts, drains and fences.
If you’re dealing with a slip on your property, you may be facing urgent clean-up and repairs. Here’s what to consider to reduce environmental impacts and stay compliant while you get your farm back in working order.
What rules apply after a landslide?
We understand that slips can cut access, disrupt water supplies and create urgent pressure to “just get it done”.
Sometimes after a major event, emergency response regulations may be put in place to temporarily remove some specific regulatory barriers under the Resource Management Act (RMA) to support response and recovery.
On 20 August 2025, amendments introduced a new regulation-making power for emergency response regulations under section 331AA which can apply where a state of national or local emergency has been declared, or a local or national transition period has been notified. These regulations are intended to be targeted and time-limited, and still include environmental safeguards and limits.
Some irrigation schemes are specifically permitted to undertake emergency works under s331AA. If you are a member of an irrigation scheme contact them and see what local support they can offer or plans they have in place.
Learn how emergency response regulations work and what they mean for recovery work.
Staying compliant during landslide recovery
If emergency response regulations have not been enacted, standard rules still apply — and you’ll want to use the practical compliance tips below when you’re moving material, working near waterways/drains, or managing muddy runoff.
Managing landslide impacts
Before you start clean-up or repairs:
After a slip, it’s common to want to clear access fast, but some risks can be hidden. Critical first steps are:
- Take photos and document what you find and what you do - you’ll need this for insurance and for any follow-up compliance questions.
- Keep out of the slip area until they’re properly inspected and given the all-clear.
- Watch for warning signs of further movement. Look for cracks, bulges, subsidence, small slips and rockfalls, and seek advice if you see them.
- If a slip has blocked a stream or created a dam of debris, treat it seriously. Landslide dams can breach suddenly and release flooding downstream.
Earthworks and work near waterways:
- If you’re planning work that affects a stream, drain or river channel (for example clearing debris, reshaping a channel, placing material near water), talk to us first so you understand whether it’s permitted or needs approval.
- Try not to create new runoff pathways that funnel muddy water straight to a waterway.
- Keep slip material out of waterways and drains by using good erosion and sediment controls. Take a look at our erosion resources for practical guidance and checklists about earthworks on land or near water.
- Track reinstatement often involves cut-and-fill earthworks. Earthworks at the bottom of a slope can make slides worse, take care with track rebuilds and don’t further undercut slopes.
Even in urgent situations, the expectation is to minimise environmental effects as much as reasonably practicable.
If you’re unsure whether your repair work is permitted, it’s best to talk to us early — it can save time, cost and rework later.
Avoid compliance issues - managing sediment and waterways:
The biggest on-farm compliance risk after slips is usually sediment (soil) moving off-site into drains, streams and rivers.
Sediment suspended in water is treated as a contaminant under the Resource Management Act. Activities that cause muddy runoff or sediment-laden water to enter waterways are a major threat to aquatic systems and are likely to create compliance issues.
What you should know about landslides
A landslide is the downslope movement of rock, debris or earth. Slips can be slow-moving or rapid and are usually triggered by earthquakes or heavy rainfall.
Some slips can be made worse by:
- Earthworks at the bottom of a slope (for example, cutting into the toe of a slope to rebuild a track).
- Water getting into the slope (slides can be made worse by leaking pipes).
Understand your landslide risk
Understand your landslide risk
Landslide risk depends on slope, geology, drainage and triggers like earthquakes and heavy rain. Your property is unique and all of these factors will come into play when looking at your specific risk factors.
Like any hazard, there are steps you can take before an event — but the best advice depends on where your property is and what sits above/below slopes (tracks, sheds, drains and waterways).
Prepare for a landslide: Learn how to prepare before a landslide, what to do during an event, and how to recover safely afterwards. Get landslide advice