Mt Maunganui Landslide: Search for Survivors in New Zealand

Emergency crews are currently engaged in a desperate search and rescue operation at the base of Mount Maunganui (Mauao). On Thursday morning, January 22, 2026, a massive landslide tore through the Beachside Holiday Park, burying campervans and facilities under tonnes of debris.

The disaster occurred shortly after 9:30 AM local time following days of record-breaking rainfall across the North Island. According to authorities, the landslide crushed several vehicles, tents, and a central shower block where people were believed to be at the time.

“Single Figures” Reported Missing

Police Superintendent Tim Anderson confirmed that the number of people unaccounted for is currently in the “single figures.” Heartbreakingly, Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell confirmed that children, including a young girl, are among those missing.

Initial responders reported hearing voices calling for help from beneath the mud and rubble during the first few minutes of the crisis. However, Fire and Emergency Commander William Pike noted that those sounds fell silent shortly after. Consequently, the mission has transitioned into a highly delicate and dangerous rescue phase.

Treacherous Rescue Conditions

The recovery efforts have faced significant hurdles due to the unstable ground. Not long after the first crews arrived, all personnel were temporarily withdrawn because the hillside showed signs of further movement.

Current challenges for rescue teams include:

• Unstable Terrain: Geoscientists are monitoring the slope for secondary slips.
• Debris Volume: Tonnes of wet earth and uprooted trees have flattened heavy structures.
• Record Deluge: Tauranga recorded its wettest 24-hour period in history just before the slide.

Widespread Weather Destruction

The Mount Maunganui disaster is part of a larger weather system that has battered the North Island. In nearby Papamoa, a separate landslide struck a residential home overnight. While two residents managed to escape, two others remain missing. Additionally, a search continues for a man swept away by floodwaters near Warkworth on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has urged residents in affected areas to strictly follow the advice of local authorities. Meanwhile, the Beachside Holiday Park has been fully evacuated and remains closed as specialized Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams work through the night.