If your property has been labelled “high landslide risk” on the Hawke’s Bay Hazard Portal (or referenced in a LIM), you’ll know how quickly that label can create real-world consequences – not just confusion. For many owners it has affected conversations with insurers and lenders, and in some cases, confidence for buyers when it comes time to sell.

Over nine months in 2025, I’ve been proud to be involved with a small but determined group of landowners and interested parties – representing 1,300+ affected properties – pushing for a more accurate, fair way this information is described and applied. That work is now delivering meaningful progress.

As part of the process, Hastings District Council commissioned an independent technical review of the “Landslide Risk” / “Highly Erodible Land (HEL)” layer shown on the Hazard Portal. The review’s central conclusion is important: the layer is erosion susceptibility mapping, not a definitive map of “landslide risk” for individual properties. It does not link susceptibility to a probability of occurrence (likelihood), and it contains uncertainties – meaning it is generally not suitable for use at an individual property scale.

Put simply: it can be useful as broad, regional guidance, but it should not be treated as a property-by-property verdict.

One of the strongest messages in the engineer’s review is that the “landslide risk” label is confusing because the underlying model is about susceptibility (and was originally developed for erosion and sediment/streambank management), not a probability-based hazard or risk assessment.

That distinction is exactly what many affected owners have been saying all along: the label implied a level of certainty – and a level of property-specific risk – that the mapping simply wasn’t designed to provide.

This is where the update becomes practical for owners. Hastings District Council’s current position (informed by the technical review and legal review) is that this information should not sit in the “Natural Hazards” section of a LIM at this stage, because it doesn’t meet the threshold for that section. Instead, it will be included (where appropriate) as “discretionary information”, and Council will ensure it is presented fairly and accurately and does not mislead.

The proposed LIM wording describes land as “potentially susceptible to erosion”, referencing the erosion model and noting that mapping accuracy can be uncertain – and that owners should seek professional advice if planning to develop. A crucial note: Council also signals that its position may change if new or updated mapping becomes available in future.

This shift is significant because it moves the conversation from a loaded label (“high landslide risk”) to a more accurate description of what the layer actually is (“potentially susceptible to erosion”), and it reduces the chance of broad-brush mapping being treated as a property-specific finding.

For many owners, that means fewer unnecessary hurdles – and a cleaner, more grounded starting point for discussions with insurers, lenders, valuers, buyers, and advisors.

If you believe your property has been affected (or you’re unsure), here are your practical next steps:

1. Check the Hazard Portal

https://gis.hbrc.govt.nz/hazards/ this portal is being constantly updated and is due to have a major upgrade in 2026 (hopefully ensuring it is more user friendly).

2. Obtain a current LIM
(and note where this information appears and how it’s worded).

3. If you’re selling
Talk with your agent early about how to handle buyer questions factually, including what supporting documents may help (LIM, site-specific reports, council correspondence where relevant).

4. If you have site-specific geotechnical or engineering reports
Keep them accessible – and if you’re comfortable, discuss with Council whether providing them helps ensure the LIM reflects the best available property-specific information.

5. If you’re planning development
Treat broad mapping as a prompt to get the right advice – not as a conclusion.

If you’d like a copy of the technical review, email me and I’ll send it through.

Does this mean my land has no erosion or landslide issues?
Not necessarily. It means the mapping layer should not be treated as a property-specific risk assessment. If you need certainty for building, lending, or peace of mind, that comes from site-specific advice.

Will this change my insurance?
It can help improve clarity, but every insurer assesses risk differently. If your insurer has relied heavily on the previous label, it’s worth supplying the updated context and (if relevant) any site-specific reports.

Will banks lend on affected properties?
Often yes – but where lenders are cautious, clarity helps. A LIM that separates discretionary mapping from confirmed natural hazards can reduce misinterpretation, and site-specific reports can be useful where appropriate.

If I’m selling, do I still need to disclose this?
You should always be upfront with material information and provide documents early (LIM and supporting context). The goal is to remove uncertainty, not create it. Your real estate agent and your lawyer are best placed to advise on disclosure requirements for your situation.

How do I know if I’m one of the 1,300+ properties?
Start with the Hazard Portal layer information. If you’re unsure, email me with your address and I’ll check.

Could the council approach change again?
Potentially Council notes its position may change if new or updated mapping becomes available.

This article is provided for general information only and reflects the position and documentation available at the time of writing. It is not legal advice, engineering advice, or a substitute for a LIM, property file review, or independent professional assessment.

Hazard and susceptibility information can change as new information becomes available. If you are buying, selling, developing, arranging insurance, or seeking finance, you should obtain appropriate advice from your lawyer, insurer, lender, and/or a qualified geotechnical professional.

Sources referenced:
Hastings District Council presentation/update material and the HDC- commissioned engineer’s technical review.