Five houses threatened by a slip in the Auckland suburb of Bucklands Beach were evacuated on Monday.
Manukau City Council says land subsidence at Clovelly Road, which overlooks the sea, has meant a number of houses and a walkway have been cordoned off due to safety concerns.
Residents were allowed to retrieve some of their possessions on Monday night.
A neighbour says she has walked along the beach underneath the cliff and noticed that the land has become unstable, with pohutukawa trees and rubble breaking away.
The council says one house has been damaged and the remaining properties have been evacuated as a precaution.
Geotechnical engineers inspected the area on Monday night to find out the extent and cause of the subsidence.
The council says it is unclear whether the land will move any further, but is asking people to keep away from from the area in the meantime.
