A catastrophic landslide on New Zealand’s North Island has left six people missing, including two teenagers, after it tore through a popular tourist campsite on January 22. The disaster struck Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcanic dome known for its beaches and hiking trails, and also caused a separate slide that killed a grandmother and grandchild on Welcome Bay Road. Police are still searching for survivors while the community rallies to support affected families.
At a Glance
- Six people missing, including two teenagers.
- Separate landslide on Welcome Bay Road killed a grandmother and grandchild.
- Police urge anyone with footage to submit to a portal.
- Search continues into the night with support for families.
What Happened at Mount Maunganui
The landslide occurred on January 22 at around 9:30 a.m. local time. It struck the Beachside Holiday Park, crashing into RVs, tents, vehicles, and a communal restroom facility near the Mount Hot Pools, according to Radio New Zealand (RNZ). The slide tore through the campsite’s perimeter, burying structures and creating a debris field that obstructed access to the beach and hiking trails.
- RVs and tents were displaced or collapsed.
- Vehicles were buried or pushed into the dunes.
- A communal restroom was damaged, leaving the area unserviceable.
The force of the slide was enough to uproot trees and send large boulders across the campsite, creating a hazardous environment for rescue teams.
The Welcome Bay Tragedy
Earlier that morning, a separate landslide on Welcome Bay Road in the suburb of Papamoa “extensively damaged” a home. Police released that a grandmother and her grandchild were killed, and another person at the property was seriously injured. RNZ reported that one of the deceased was a Chinese national.
The damage was severe enough to warrant immediate evacuations of nearby homes. Police are carrying out additional patrols around vacant properties until residents can safely return.
Police Response and Search Efforts
Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Tim Anderson, provided an update on January 23. He confirmed that six people were currently unaccounted for, including two teenagers. Anderson said:
> “We have been unable to establish the whereabouts of three further individuals. While we do not currently believe they were involved in the slip, further enquiries are required to rule it out.”
He added that the three parties were believed to be tourists and likely left the area. Anderson urged anyone with video footage of the landslide to upload it online onto a police portal and to contact authorities if they had information that could help locate the missing individuals.
Key statements from Anderson:
- “We are wrapping support around the families of those whose loved ones are unaccounted for.”
- “We would also like to acknowledge the wider community, who have similarly shown such an outpouring of support and empathy for those affected, including the family of those who died in Welcome Bay.”
- “Police will continue to work with our partners to support the ongoing operation at Mount Maunganui as the first priority, and will also continue to deploy our staff across the region where they are most needed.”
Anderson told reporters that the operation would shift from a rescue to a recovery mission day by day as conditions allow. He noted that there had been no signs of life underneath the rubble as of today.
Community and Regional Impact
The extreme weather that has plagued the country has left thousands of people across the region affected. In Welcome Bay, where evacuations were carried out, police are maintaining patrols around vacant properties to ensure safety. Community members have offered support through donations, volunteer search teams, and emotional aid for families.
The local tourism board has issued advisories for visitors to the area, recommending that they stay away from the beach and hiking trails until the site is declared safe. Businesses in the vicinity have temporarily closed, and transportation services have adjusted routes to avoid the affected zone.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| January 22 | Landslide at Mount Maunganui at ~9:30 a.m. |
| January 22 | Separate landslide on Welcome Bay Road kills grandmother and grandchild |
| January 23 | Superintendent Anderson confirms six missing, requests footage |
| January 23 | Police urge community to support families and submit information |
Key Takeaways
- The Mount Maunganui landslide has left six people missing, with two teenagers among them.
- A separate slide on Welcome Bay Road resulted in the deaths of a grandmother and grandchild.
- Police are actively searching, have requested video evidence, and are providing support to affected families.
- The community and regional authorities are coordinating to manage safety, evacuations, and recovery efforts.
The ongoing operation underscores the importance of rapid response and community cooperation in natural disaster scenarios. Residents and visitors alike are encouraged to stay informed through official channels and to assist by providing any relevant information that could aid rescue teams.
