We are carrying out drainage work and road reconstruction on a section of Lighthouse Road following a significant wet weather event in May 2025.

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What happened

Christchurch City and Banks Peninsula experienced prolonged, intense rainfall between 30 April and 2 May 2025, resulting in flooding and multiple landslides across the region.

Significant cracking was found along Lighthouse Road and the surrounding land. The road was closed and affected residents were evacuated as a precaution. Expert geotechnical investigations have since concluded that houses downslope from the land instability site are no longer considered at risk.

Work still needs to be carried out to repair and make Lighthouse Road more resilient. At the Finance and Performance Committee meeting on 27 August 2025, elected members agreed to carry out land drainage work to lower the groundwater level at the slip site and reconstruct the section of Lighthouse Road impacted by the land instability.

Ongoing monitoring will continue at the land instability site to determine if there are any long-term patterns of movement.

In an emergency, where there's an immediate risk to life or property, call 111.

In August 2025 we received a geotechnical report from independent geotechnical engineers Engeo, outlining information obtained from borehole drilling completed onsite during July 2025. This data provided a better technical understanding of what is going on deep underground.

Based on the data, the geotechnical experts no longer believe occupied properties downslope from the land instability site are considered at risk.

The revised understanding was that a release of any debris is unlikely to occur as it would take a significantly larger rainfall event than May 2025 to trigger such an outcome. Even if debris was released following land movement, it is no longer considered a risk of reaching properties downslope of the land instability area.

This is because of what we now know about the land. If any debris were to release, the volume would be at the lower end of what was previously modelled and isn’t expected to flow easily due to the makeup of the land, which has a high clay content.

The Council will carry out a full reconstruction of the section of Lighthouse Road impacted by the land instability to both repair and make it more resilient for the future.

Drainage work is also proposed to lower the groundwater level in the area affected by instability, which is expected to improve slope stability and reduce the risk of further movement occurring.

Planning and design of the remediation works can now start and work on site is expected to begin following the 25/26 summer season, to minimise disruption to the community over summer. Timing of work is dependent on any necessary consents being obtained and working through agreements with adjacent landowners.

Ongoing monitoring at the land instability site will continue to determine if there are any long-term patterns of movement.

Residents will be kept informed about access to Lighthouse Road while remediation works are carried out.

We’re committed to keeping you informed.

For updates, sign up for our newsletter(external link) or email lighthouseroad@ccc.govt.nz.

To speak to our staff, phone 03 941 8999 or 0800 800 169.