Police have made the difficult decision to postpone recovery efforts at Mount Maunganui for today.
The search area was evacuated about 11.50am, after a contractor driver noticed potential instability on the face of the slip, Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson says.
"The safety of the people working on the recovery is at the front of our mind, and the risk today is too significant to allow us to carry on.
"Families have been told of the decision and our commitment to resume work as soon as possible."
Superintendent Anderson says the decision was made following advice by two independent geotechnical experts.
"Rain and wind is continuing to complicate the recovery effort and a crack has now been seen above the slip area.
"The landslide material the recovery teams are working in is clay-like, it is incredibly wet and very heavy. Simple tasks are not simple and the work is exhausting.
"The decision to postpone our efforts to reunite families with their loved ones is difficult, and it is not something we do unless there are very real concerns."
Superintendent Anderson says additional staff are being brought into the district to relieve staff working on the recovery.
"Everyone involved is committed to bringing families' loved ones home. It is exhausting, gruelling work and I'm incredibly proud of them."
