DEVASTATING LANDSLIDE STRIKES MOUNT MAUNGANUI CAMPGROUND: SEVERAL PEOPLE MISSING INCLUDING CHILDREN AFTER HEAVY RAINS TRIGGER MAJOR SLIP IN NEW ZEALAND TOURIST HOTSPOT

A catastrophic landslide triggered by days of record-breaking rainfall has buried parts of a popular holiday park at the base of Mauao (Mount Maunganui) in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty region, leaving several people unaccounted for—including at least one young girl and possibly other children—and plunging the community into grief and urgent rescue operations.

The incident unfolded around 9:30 a.m. local time on Thursday, January 22, when a massive slip of earth, mud, and debris roared down the slopes of the extinct volcanic dome, slamming into the Beachside Holiday Park on Adams Avenue. The force crushed campervans, flipped vehicles, flattened tents, and demolished a toilet and shower block. Initial reports described screams for help echoing from beneath the rubble as first responders arrived, but those cries fell silent shortly after, with no signs of life detected for hours.

Emergency services declared it a “major incident.” Over 40 firefighters, police, specialist search teams, and sniffer dogs were deployed immediately, working through unstable terrain and ongoing heavy weather to claw through layers of debris. Fire and Emergency NZ commander William Pike reported that rescuers heard voices early on but none since. “Nobody has been rescued yet,” he said, vowing crews would continue “24/7” despite treacherous conditions. Earthmoving equipment was brought in to carefully remove rubble layer by layer.

Police Assistant Commissioner Tim Anderson confirmed the number of missing people is in the “single figures,” though exact counts remain fluid as authorities cross-check registrations, CCTV footage, and witness accounts. Some campers may have evacuated unnoticed before the full tally. Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell, speaking at a press conference, expressed deep concern for families and confirmed a young girl is among the unaccounted for. He described the broader storm aftermath across the North Island’s east coast as resembling a “war zone,” with widespread flooding, road closures, power outages, and evacuations.

This landslide is part of a devastating weather system that has battered New Zealand since mid-January, setting rainfall records dating back over a century in some areas. Two people died in a separate slip at Welcome Bay earlier that morning, where a house was partially destroyed. Another man remains missing after being swept away by floodwaters near Warkworth. States of emergency have been declared in affected regions, with helicopter rescues pulling families from rooftops and emergency services stretched thin.

At Mount Maunganui—a beloved tourist destination known for its golden beaches, hiking trails, and iconic volcanic summit—the scene is heartbreaking. Aerial footage shows a wide scar of brown earth scarring the green slopes, with mangled campervans and debris scattered across the holiday park.

rnz.co.nz

Witness describes ‘real disaster’ as Mauao landslide strikes Mount …

Debris from the slip engulfed vehicles and structures, turning a peaceful campground into a chaotic disaster zone.

nzherald.co.nz

Mount Maunganui campground landslip

Rescue teams, including sniffer dogs, comb through the unstable pile-up of mud and wreckage in a desperate search for survivors.

rnz.co.nz

Mauao campground landslide: Children missing after slip in Mount …

An aerial view reveals the scale of destruction at the base of Mauao, with crushed caravans and tents buried under tons of earth.

abc.net.au

Young girl among missing campers at New Zealand’s Mount Maunganui …

Witnesses described the terror: one camper called it a “real disaster,” hearing pleas like “get us out” before silence fell. The park, usually bustling with holidaymakers enjoying the summer season, was evacuated in the aftermath, and Mauao itself has been closed to the public due to additional slips and safety risks.

As night fell, search efforts continued under floodlights, with teams refusing to give up hope. Families wait anxiously for news, supported by welfare services and community groups. The broader storm has prompted evacuations of dozens more, including 80 people in Western Bay of Plenty alone.

This tragedy underscores the dangers of extreme weather in a changing climate, hitting one of New Zealand’s most scenic spots hardest. Authorities urge vigilance as more rain is forecast. For now, the focus remains on the missing—prayers from across the country and beyond are with them and their loved ones.

Mount Maunganui, a place of beauty and adventure, has become a site of sorrow. Rescue operations press on through the night.