Mount Maunganui, New Zealand — A devastating landslide at a popular holiday park has left several people, including children, unaccounted for, following record-breaking rainfall. The hillside collapsed early Thursday morning at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, crushing campervans and restroom facilities.
Authorities have launched a rescue operation amid reports that multiple individuals may be trapped under the rubble. While official numbers have yet to be confirmed, police have indicated that the number of those unaccounted for is in the single digits. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell expressed deep concern, labeling the incident a “tragedy” during a press briefing, where he noted that families of the victims were present at the site.
The landslide came in the wake of 270 millimeters of rain falling in the region, marking one of the wettest days on record for Tauranga. Eyewitness Alister Hardy, who was fishing nearby, recounted the harrowing moment when he heard “rolling thunder and the cracking of trees” before the hillside gave way. He described a scene of chaos, with people fleeing in panic as some were knocked down by the falling earth.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman William Pike reported that initial responders arrived to hear cries for help emanating from the debris. Despite their efforts, search and rescue teams had to pause operations due to unstable conditions. The popularity of Mount Maunganui as a tourist destination has been marred by the disaster, as the area is not only known for its scenic beach but also for several hiking trails.
Widespread flooding has also impacted other regions of the North Island, with towns like Oakura experiencing severe inundation that residents compared to the worst flooding in fifty years. A rare red weather warning has been issued by the MetService, indicating a “threat to life” in several areas, including Northland and Tairawhiti. Communities have been left isolated, with ongoing concerns for a man swept away in his car in the swollen Mahurangi River.
Trapped residents have been spotted on rooftops in Tairawhiti, further complicating rescue efforts. Mark Law, a helicopter pilot known for his role in the 2019 Whakaari-White Island eruption response, has returned to assist in this latest rescue operation. Photos circulating on social media depict vast stretches of flooding, with debris scattered across affected neighborhoods.
The recent deluge and resulting landslides are the first significant weather-related disasters to hit the area since Cyclone Gabrielle in early 2023, which claimed 11 lives and inflicted billions in damages. In the current crisis, thousands remain without power, exacerbating the dire situation for those affected by the flooding and landslides.
As the government works tirelessly to coordinate relief efforts, Minister Mitchell assures that they are keeping a close eye on the situation to support impacted communities. Emergency teams continue to assess the risks and explore avenues to provide aid to those in peril.