Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui, a popular tourist spot in northern New Zealand's North Island, is the site of a recent devastating landslide at a campground. The event, triggered by heavy rain, occurred on Thursday, January 23, 2026, burying several people, including children and teenagers. Initially, rescue efforts were launched to find the missing individuals. However, after days of searching and the discovery of human remains, authorities transitioned the operation from rescue to recovery. Six people remain missing and are presumed dead. The landslide is part of a broader pattern of extreme weather events affecting New Zealand, raising concerns about the increasing risk of landslides due to climate change and intense storms. The incident has caused widespread damage, evacuations, and power outages across the North Island, highlighting the vulnerability of communities to natural disasters.