The Abbotsford Disaster

The Abbotsford landslip occurred on the 8th of August 1979 at 9:07pm, the landslip happened after Abbotsford hill gave way. The incident caused 44 acres of land to move a distance of 48 metres down the hill in 15 minutes. As a result, sixty-nine houses were destroyed, and hundreds of people were left homeless. Although there were no casualties, and any injuries were minor. There was a group of seventeen residents that had to be rescued. Following this event, the state of civil emergency lasted until the 18th of August 1979. 

Following this disaster, there was a report of the commission of inquiry into this event. A member of this enquiry presented seven boxes and twenty-six books of evidence which was used in the report to the University of Waikato Library.