Authorities have evacuated some households from Onepoto and parts of Te Araroa on the North Island's East Coast after significant landslide risks were identified.
Occupants in about 30 houses were told on Saturday night to leave due to landslide risks from hills above and people would not be able to return until Tairāwhiti Civil Defence was confident there was no risk to life.
Group controller Ben Green told RNZ today that principal scientists and geotechnical engineers had begun assessing the land at first light.
He said it was unknown how long people would be out of their homes - or whether they could return at all.
"We need to be confident there is no risk to life and until this has been completed they will not be returning."
Green said the assessment was delayed due to a severe wind watch in place yesterday, which had since been cancelled, and it would take as long as it needed to.
"If you see the photos of both of those areas that were cleared, the terrain there, particularly the amount of rain that had been absorbed over the recent event was significant.
"And not knowing enough, by way of not having been able to do the geotechnical assessment for land stability, the concern - or safety risk - to life was unpalatable."
Mt Maunganui recovery efforts paused
Recovery work at a huge landslip in Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty has been halted this afternoon due to concerns about a potential slip.
The slip came down at the Beachside Holiday Park in Mount Maunganui about 9.30am on Thursday, smashing into campervans, tents, vehicles and an ablution block near the Mount Hot Pools.
Yesterday, human remains were found at the site and six people believed to have been caught in the landslide were named by police.
They are: Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, Sharon Maccanico, 15 and Max Furse-Kee, 15.
Police District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said geotechnical experts were assessing the area and teams would resume work as soon as they are cleared to do so.
"Delays like this are frustrating but the safety of everyone supporting the recovery effort is paramount. We will resume our search as soon as possible."
Anderson said yesterday search was now about recovery.
“Every single person involved in this operation has been focused solely on saving the lives of the people under the slip. Search teams have been working through the slip layer by layer, but tragically it is now apparent that we will not be able to bring them home alive.
"This is heartbreaking news for the families and the dozens of people who have been working day and night, hoping for a positive outcome."
Community centre gives support
Tauranga's He Maimai Aroha - Community Care Centre opened its doors on Sunday morning and welcomed people needing support.
Mayor Mahe Drysdale said the community was grieving with the families and this was a place for everyone to reflect, share messages and seek comfort.
"We got the tragic outcome yesterday that we hoped wouldn't happen and, you know, we've now got to deal with that.
"For me personally, yes, it does take a heavy toll. However, you know, I've just been with the families and I know how much harder it is for them."
He said the biggest concern now was making sure those that are helping with the recovery are safe.
"The last thing we want to do is, you know, have another situation like this."
Police also announced last night that a body has been found in the search for a missing driver swept away in a car in the Mahurangi River, near Warkworth, on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, repairs after storm damage are under way, and access to some Northland communities isolated for a week had been restored.
