New Zealand police on Monday resumed recovery operations at a Mount Maunganui campground after a deadly landslide last week left six people, including two teenagers, presumed dead.
The landslide, triggered by heavy rainfall on Thursday, swept down soil and rubble at a busy summer holiday site in the Bay of Plenty city of Tauranga. Families were visiting the area when the disaster struck, sending shockwaves through the local community.
Human remains were discovered at the site on Saturday, though authorities have yet to confirm their identities. Recovery efforts had been temporarily suspended on Sunday after a contractor driver noted potential instability on the landslide face, raising safety concerns for rescue personnel.
Bay of Plenty District Commander Tim Anderson confirmed that operations resumed at 10.30 a.m. local time (5.30 a.m. Singapore time) on Monday. “Additional monitoring equipment has been brought in, and specialist crews removed loose material that was of concern above the slip area this morning,” Anderson said.
The landslide has left the tight-knit Tauranga community grappling with grief. On Sunday, around 200 locals gathered at a nearby park for a vigil to honor the victims. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell attended the ceremony, highlighting the national attention on the tragedy.
Luxon described the gathering on X (formerly Twitter) as “very special,” expressing solidarity with the Mount Maunganui community in remembering the precious lives lost.
Officials have warned that the site remains unstable and recovery work will continue cautiously. Emergency crews are closely monitoring the area for signs of further movement to ensure the safety of personnel.
The tragic event has raised renewed concerns about landslide risks in regions prone to heavy rainfall and steep terrain. Local authorities are reviewing safety measures for popular recreational sites in the Bay of Plenty and nationwide.
As families and residents come to terms with the disaster, support services have been mobilized to assist those affected, including trauma counseling and temporary accommodation for displaced campers.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area while recovery operations are ongoing, emphasizing that safety remains the top priority in the wake of the devastating landslide.
