Mt Maunganui Landslide Tragedy: Rescue Efforts Continue | Splittly
A community is in shock as rescue crews continue a desperate search for survivors at a popular holiday park in Mt Maunganui. A massive landslide, triggered by days of torrential rain, crashed down the slopes of Mauao in the early hours of the morning.
"Deeply Shattering"
Witnesses described a roar like a freight train before mud and debris engulfed campervans and cabins. "It was pitch black, and then chaos," said one survivor. "People were screaming for help."
Local MP Sam Uffindell visited the scene, calling the event "deeply shattering" for the tight-knit community and the holidaymakers who flock to the 'Mount' every summer.
Rescue Operation
Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) and Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams have been working non-stop, battling unstable ground and continuing rain. Several people remain unaccounted for, and police have not yet confirmed the number of casualties.
The base of Mauao remains closed to the public as geologists assess the stability of the iconic mountain.
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Start OrganizingA Summer of Weather Chaos
This tragedy marks another blow in a summer defined by extreme weather events across New Zealand. From flooding in the Coromandel to this latest disaster in the Bay of Plenty, the 2026 holiday season has been marred by nature's fury.
Civil Defence is urging all residents and visitors in hill-country areas to remain vigilant and ready to evacuate if they see signs of land movement.