Councils are getting the push from scientists to create their own risk maps for deadly landslides.

Landslides are responsible for more deaths in New Zealand than earthquakes and volcano's combined.

The calls are especially applicable in Nelson, where for hundreds of years the town has built on the unstable Tahunanui Slump.

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith told Tim Dower the information will be useful in preventing them from building in similar areas.

Smith says if geo-technical engineering can't be met and an area is high risk, it should not be built on.

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