Two Killed, Several Missing as Landslides Hit New Zealand’s North Island
At least two people have died and several others are feared missing following multiple landslides triggered by heavy rainfall across New Zealand’s North Island.
The fatalities were confirmed in Welcome Bay, while rescue teams continue searching through debris at a separate landslide site at a popular campground on Mount Maunganui. Authorities said there are currently no “signs of life” at the campsite, adding that while they have a preliminary estimate of those missing, the exact number is yet to be confirmed. Officials disclosed that the missing include at least one young girl.
The landslides followed days of intense rainfall that caused widespread flooding, road closures and power outages across the region. One government minister described the east coast as resembling “a war zone”.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said the country was “heavy with grief” following what he described as a “profound tragedy” caused by extreme weather conditions.
Footage from Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcano and sacred Māori site, shows a massive slip near the base of the volcanic dome. Rescuers, assisted by sniffer dogs, are combing through crushed caravans and flattened tents. Authorities said search operations would continue overnight despite the dangerous conditions.
“This is a complex and high-risk environment, and our teams are working to achieve the best possible outcome while keeping everyone safe,” said Megan Stiffler, deputy national commander of the Urban Search and Rescue team.
Mount Maunganui is one of New Zealand’s most popular tourist destinations, often described as a “slice of paradise”, but it has experienced repeated landslides in recent years.
Eyewitnesses described moments of panic as the earth gave way. Australian tourist Sonny Worrall told local broadcaster TVNZ he heard trees cracking before seeing a massive landslide rushing down the slope. “I had to jump out of my seat and just run,” he said.
Another witness, hiker Mark Tangney, told the New Zealand Herald he heard people screaming from beneath the rubble. “We could hear people yelling, ‘Help us, help us, get us out of here,’” he said, adding that the cries eventually fell silent.
As a precaution, a surf club in another part of Mount Maunganui has been evacuated due to fears of further landslides.
A state of emergency has been declared in the Bay of Plenty and other affected regions, including Northland, Coromandel, Tairāwhiti and Hauraki. Several areas recorded their wettest day on record, with Tauranga receiving the equivalent of three months’ rainfall in just one day, according to local media.
Radio New Zealand reported that about 8,000 homes were without electricity as of Thursday morning.
Meanwhile, the search continues for a 47-year-old man swept away by floodwaters in the Mahurangi River. His wife told RNZ she remains hopeful, noting that her husband, a fisherman from Kiribati, is a strong swimmer. The man was reportedly driving to work with his nephew when their vehicle was washed into the river. He managed to push the nephew to safety before being carried away himself.
