Mount Maunganui Landslide Tragedy: Honoring Lives Lost and Community Strength

Just before 9.30am on Thursday, a large landslide came down from Mauao at Mount Maunganui, following a sustained period of heavy rain.

The landslide slipped down into the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, and shortly after it became apparent that several people were unaccounted for.

FENZ, Police and ambulance teams immediately got to work on the rescue operation to save the people who were missing in the landslide.

For three long days, everyone in the country was longing for a miracle.

None more so than the families of the missing people – who endured the agony of knowing where their family member was yet being unable to reach them.

On Saturday, we were devastated to receive the news we had all been dreading.

Police confirmed that the six missing people could not have survived, and the rescue operation would therefore move to a recovery.

Sharon, Max, Lisa, Jacqualine, Susan and Måns. People just like us - grandmothers, mothers, daughters, sons, sisters, and brothers.

This is a tragedy for the families, and for the communities of Mount Maunganui and the wider Bay of Plenty.

Mount Maunganui is a place where many people have made happy memories. Every summer, it attracts visitors from across New Zealand and from overseas.

It’s not hard to see why – with the beautiful beach, the friendly locals and, of course, Mauao.

Mauao welcomes hundreds of people every day, who want to experience nature and the fresh air, watch the sunrise, connect with their friends, process and gain perspective on the challenges of daily life, and take in the spectacular views at the top.

It was described over and over to me by locals as a place of great joy and wellbeing that grounds them.

The Beachside Holiday Park at the base of Mauao has to be one of the best spots in the country to spend your summer.

It is a particular cruelty of this awful event that families have gone from the happiness of a summer holiday in this Kiwi campground, to facing the unimaginable grief of so suddenly and unexpectedly losing a loved family member.

Some of those who we lost were far from home, and I thank locals and Police who have given everything to support the families over these long and painful days since the landslide occurred.

I want to acknowledge and thank everyone involved in the recovery operation, including our incredible FENZ, Police DVI and contractor teams who have been working tirelessly on what is a very confronting and challenging scene.

I also want to thank our first responders and the brave local heroes who put themselves in harm’s way to try to help others in the initial aftermath of the landslide.

To those on the front line and supporting in the background – emergency services, medical staff, iwi, community leaders, and volunteers – thank you for your professionalism, your care, and your strength.

Maximum efforts are ongoing to recover all six people and return them to their families so that they can begin the sad task of preparing to farewell them appropriately.

Sadly, two other families have lost their loved ones through these recent weather events.

Another family is still waiting for news after a man went missing in a river near Opotiki.

To the family who lost their beloved boy and his grandmother in the landslide at Welcome Bay; And to the family of the man who was lost in the flooded Mahurangi River, and the family of the man who remains missing near Opotiki: Our hearts and our thoughts are with you too.

My thoughts are also with those who have lost their homes, their farms, their livelihoods and all their possessions in floods and landslides.

Five regions declared states of emergency last week – Whangarei, Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki, Bay of Plenty and Tairawhiti.

Response and recovery operations are underway in each region, and I want to commend everyone involved.

I have seen the huge efforts going into the response, from central and local government, iwi, and community organisations.

I’ve also seen and heard stories about Kiwis helping their neighbours, marae opening their doors to the community, and people delivering food to emergency service personnel who are working 24 hours.

It is an unfortunate reality that we continue to have these extreme weather events, but each time our response gets better and faster.

And each time, we see the very best of New Zealanders.

There is much work to be done over the coming days and weeks, with the immediate focus being on supporting those families and individuals who have been displaced.

Our Government is committed to doing what is needed, working with councils and communities on the recovery and rebuild.

I want to end by acknowledging again the nine lives lost in these recent weather events, and the heartbreak their whānau and loved ones are carrying.

Though I know it does not ease your pain or sorrow, to the families who have lost loved ones in this tragedy, I want you to know this: The whole country is with you. Every New Zealander is grieving with you.

While we cannot take away your pain, we can carry some of its weight alongside you.

As the scripture says: Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

That comfort comes through community, through presence, through aroha, and through looking after one another in the days ahead.

Kia Kaha, Kia Māia, Kia Manawanui.

Be strong. Be brave. Be steadfast.