Landcare Research staff map extent of storm damage
The recent February storm in the lower North Island produced severe and widespread landsliding.
The landsliding extent has been mapped by Landcare Research staff at the Palmerston North office using the French SPOT5
satellite. 19,800 hectares of land has been lost to pasture production, either through erosion or deposition of debris.
The worst affected district was the Rangitikei (6,300 ha), followed by the Manawatu district (4,500 ha) and the Wanganui
district (4,100 ha).
Erosion scars, which comprise approximately 25% of the total, can take up to 10 years to regain productivity. Debris
tails, which comprise approximately 75% of the total, can regain pasture productivity with one year.