A landslide at a campsite in Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, on Thursday, has tragically resulted in the confirmed deaths of six individuals. Recovery operations are now underway for the victims, as rescue efforts transitioned to a recovery phase due to the unlikelihood of finding survivors.
The incident followed a period of severe weather and record rainfall on New Zealand's North Island, prompting multiple states of emergency and independent investigations into the circumstances surrounding the disaster.
The Landslide Incident
The landslide struck the Beachside Holiday Park at the base of Mount Maunganui, approximately 230 kilometers south-east of Auckland, around 9:30 AM on Thursday. The event impacted campervans, cars, tents, and an ablution block at the campsite, which is also recognized as a sacred MÄori site and a popular destination.
The incident occurred after several days of heavy rainfall across the North Island. Tauranga, where Mount Maunganui is located, experienced 274 millimeters of rain within 24 hours, surpassing a 1910 record. This prompted MetService, the national weather service, to issue a rare red weather warning. Minor landslips had been reported in the area prior to the main event.
Witnesses reported hearing a loud noise and observing land moving onto structures. One Australian tourist described fleeing from an approaching landslide while swimming.
Another individual reported hearing screams for help from under rubble for approximately 30 minutes before silence.
Casualties and Identification
Six individuals were reported missing following the landslide. By Saturday, rescue operations transitioned to a recovery phase after human remains were discovered on Friday night, and police confirmed the unlikelihood of finding survivors.
The six individuals believed to have been killed were formally identified by police:
- Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, from Morrinsville, a literacy tutor.
- MĆ„ns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, from Sweden.
- Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, from Rotorua.
- Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, from Ngongotaha.
- Sharon Maccanico, 15, from Auckland.
- Max Furse-Kee, 15, from Auckland.
Families of the victims have issued statements through the police, with Max Furse-Kee's mother expressing profound grief. Max Furse-Kee was reportedly holidaying with Sharon Maccanico. The remains are being transported to a mortuary in Hamilton and Wellington for formal identification, a process that Chief Coroner Anna Tutton indicated could be prolonged and difficult.
Rescue and Recovery Operations
Emergency services, including urban search and rescue teams with sniffer dogs, were deployed to the site. Over 40 firefighters, police, and ambulance workers were involved in the initial response. Search teams combed through crushed caravans and flattened tents, focusing particularly on the significantly damaged ablution block.
Police Superintendent Tim Anderson stated that locating all victims could take several days due to unstable ground conditions. The site was characterized as "incredibly challenging" and high-risk, leading to a strong focus on the safety of recovery staff.
A 30-meter exclusion zone has been established due to ongoing risks from further landslides, including a minor slip on Friday night and unstable nearby trees.
Wider Weather Impact and Emergency Declarations
The Mount Maunganui landslide was part of a broader series of weather-related incidents across New Zealand's North Island. Heavy rains caused widespread flooding and additional fatal landslides beyond the campsite.
Specific Incidents Reported:
- Welcome Bay: Two fatalities (a grandmother and her grandchild, one confirmed as a Chinese national) from a separate landslide that destroyed a residence. Another individual sustained serious injuries.
- Mahurangi River: A 47-year-old man was swept away on Wednesday. He had pushed his nephew to safety after their car fell into the river. A search for him continues.
- Papamoa: Two fatalities reported from a landslide.
- Gisborne Region: Extensive flooding and road damage, isolating communities.
- Onepoto and Te Araroa: Evacuations ordered due to landslide risks.
A state of emergency was declared in the Bay of Plenty, where Mount Maunganui is located, as well as in other North Island regions including Northland, Coromandel, TairÄwhiti, and Hauraki. Approximately 8,000 residents experienced power outages. An evacuation was also ordered for a surf club in another part of Mount Maunganui due to concerns about further landslides.
Further poor weather, including thunderstorms and strong winds, has been forecast for regions impacted by floods and landslides, potentially hindering recovery efforts.
Official Response and Investigations
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon conveyed New Zealand's grief following the weather-related events and visited the disaster site. He later led a motion of condolence in parliament and called for a wider independent probe into the Mount Maunganui landslide fatalities.
This inquiry is intended to examine whether opportunities to prevent the deaths were overlooked, noting that questions are being raised about potential earlier evacuation opportunities.
Luxon indicated a possible "inherent conflict" given the Tauranga City Council owns the affected campground and is also conducting its own investigation.
The Tauranga City Council has initiated an independent inquiry into the events leading up to the disaster. This investigation will address questions regarding the decision not to evacuate people following earlier reports of a landslip near the campsite on Thursday morning. A local resident reportedly contacted emergency services at 5:47 AM, nearly four hours before the main landslide, to report the issue, with emergency services notifying the council at 5:51 AM. One of the missing individuals, Lisa Maclennan, had reportedly warned other campers about slips and recommended moving.
China's Ambassador to New Zealand, Wang Xiaolong, acknowledged the fatalities and missing persons, including a Chinese citizen. An Iwi (local MÄori tribe) has declared a rahui, a traditional prohibition, preventing access to the mountain.