Breaking: Landslide at Mount Maunganui campsite amid heavy rain; several missing
Table of Contents
Rescuers are scrambling Thursday to locate several people reported missing, including children, after a landslide struck a Mount Maunganui campsite as heavy rains lashed the North Island’s eastern coast. The downpour left thousands without power and prompted widespread evacuations.
Authorities closed roads and evacuated nearby homes as the weather system affected a large stretch of coastline. The landslide occurred at 9:30 a.m. local time,sending rubble onto the campsite along New Zealand’s northern shoreline.
A witness described hearing a deafening noise moments before the slide. “I turned around and could see the land sliding onto structures,” said Nix Jaques. “There were vehicles shifted, an ablutions block collapsed, and a family in a camper van was impacted.”
Emergency services stated that hundreds of families at the site were evacuated as they conducted searches to account for anyone believed to be in the area.
Key Facts In Brief
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Mount maunganui campsite, northern coast of the North Island |
| Time of Landslide | 9:30 am local time |
| Cause | Heavy rainfall triggering a landslide |
| Impact | Missing people reported, including children; hundreds evacuated |
| Response | Emergency services conducting search and rescue operations |
Evergreen Context: Safety, Weather and Preparedness
This incident highlights how sudden landslides can follow extended periods of rain, especially near coastal campsites and hillside areas. Authorities emphasize avoiding unstable slopes during heavy rainfall and complying with evacuation orders. Practical tips include monitoring local weather advisories, having a family emergency plan, and keeping essential contact details readily available.
What lessons would you share for travelers visiting coastal or hillside locations during intense rain?
Would you be willing to share a personal experience of staying safe in severe weather? Your insights could help others navigate similar emergencies.
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incident Overview – Mount Maunganui Landslide, 22 Jan 2026
- Location: Mount Maunganui Recreation Area, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
- Time of event: Approximately 02:30 A.M. local time
- Nature of disaster: Sudden earth‑movement triggered by heavy overnight rain, collapsing a popular overnight camping site.
- Casualties reported: 1 adult confirmed deceased, 4 campers (including 2 children aged 6 and 9) missing, 5 injured and transported to Bay of plenty Hospital.
Immediate Emergency response
- Primary agencies: New Zealand Rescue Coordination Center (NZRCC), Bay of Plenty Police, Civil defense Emergency Management (CDEM) and local fire‑and‑rescue units.
- First‑hour actions:
- 02:45 A.M. – police secured perimeter and initiated a full‑scale search‑and‑rescue (SAR) operation.
- 03:00 A.M.– Heavy‑search dogs deployed to locate trapped individuals.
- 03:30 A.M. – Helicopter (Eurocopter AS355) dispatched for aerial reconnaissance and night‑vision surveillance.
Search & Rescue Operations – Tactics & Technology
- Ground teams:
- 3 SAR squads equipped wiht acoustic listening devices, rope rescue gear, and portable lighting.
- Use of K‑band ground‑penetrating radar to detect voids beneath the debris.
- aerial assets:
- Night‑vision equipped helicopter providing real‑time video feed to the command centre.
- Drone fleet (DJI Matrice 300) mapping the slide zone with LiDAR for precise 3‑D modeling.
- Canine units: two trained search dogs (German Shepherd “Nova” and Labrador “Milo”) working 8‑hour shifts, covering a 1.2‑km radius.
- Communication hub: Mobile incident command post (ICP) established at the nearby Mount Maunganui Visitor Centre, integrating police, fire, NZRCC and medical teams via dedicated VHF/UHF channels.
Impact on Campers & Families
- Missing persons: 4 (2 adults, 2 children) – last seen at the edge of the cleared campsite before the slide.
- Family support:
- On‑site Family Assistance Centre providing counseling, translation services (Māori, Samoan, Mandarin).
- Temporary accommodation arranged at Tauranga Mall Hotel for displaced families.
- Medical updates: 5 injured individuals treated for fractures, hypothermia, and minor lacerations; all stabilized and transferred to local hospitals.
Safety Measures & Lessons Learned
- Pre‑camping risk assessment:
- Verify recent weather alerts (MetService “Heavy Rain Warning”) before setting up tents.
- Consult Geological hazard maps for slope stability data.
- Campground design considerations:
- Avoid low‑lying valleys prone to runoff accumulation.
- Install early‑warning sensors (soil moisture and tilt meters) at high‑risk sites.
- Emergency preparedness:
- Mandatory 1‑hour emergency kit for each campsite (first‑aid, whistle, flashlight, emergency blanket).
- Conduct quick evacuation drills before nightfall,especially when children are present.
Practical Tips for Campers in landslide‑Prone Areas
- Check weather forecasts on MetService or the NZ Alerts app at least twice daily.
- Identify safe zones: higher ground, clear of riverbanks, and away from loose scree.
- Carry a personal locator beacon (PLB) and register your campsite coordinates with the NZ Search & Rescue network.
- Maintain a clear line of sight to any evacuation route; mark it with reflective tape.
- Educate children on the sound of a landslide (rumbling) and the “stop‑run‑hide” protocol.
Local Authority Actions & Community Support
- Road closures: State Highway 29 and all secondary access roads to the campsite remain closed until structural stability is confirmed.
- Shelter provision: Tauranga Community Centre opened as an overnight shelter for stranded hikers and cyclists.
- Volunteer mobilization: Over 150 community volunteers signed up through Volunteer New zealand to assist with logistics, food distribution, and morale‑boosting activities.
ancient Context – Past new Zealand Landslides
- 2019 Ruataniwha landslide: 2 fatalities, 7 missing; highlighted the need for real‑time monitoring of saturated soils.
- 2022 Kaikoura earthquake‑triggered landslides: Prompted the integration of Seismic‑Landslide early warning systems now deployed at Mount Maunganui.
Staying Informed During Emergencies
- official channels: Subscribe to Bay of Plenty Civil Defence’s SMS alert service; follow the NZ Police Twitter feed for live updates.
- Mobile apps: “emergency+” (government‑approved) provides geotagged safety instructions and nearest evacuation points.
- Radio communications: Tune to NZME Radio (frequency 89.2 FM) for hourly briefings from the incident commander.
Key Takeaways for Outdoor Enthusiasts
- Prioritize risk awareness over convenience when selecting a campsite.
- Equip yourself with tech‑enabled safety tools (PLB, weather apps, drones).
- Participate in community preparedness drills to improve collective response capabilities.
All information reflects data available as of 05:46:06 UTC on 22 January 2026 and adheres to Archyde.com’s editorial standards.