Anatomy of a Tragedy: Documents Reveal the Desperate First 48 Hours at Mt Maunganui

Newly released OIA documents reveal the intense first 48 hours of the emergency response to the deadly Mt Maunganui landslide that claimed six lives in January 2026.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 8, 2026, 5:51 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

The "Hard Reset": A Race Against Time

The emergency began at 9:30 AM on January 22 when the first calls reported a massive landslip at the Mt Maunganui campground. USAR teams, originally en route to a separate incident in Papamoa, were diverted and found a chaotic scene where members of the public were using hand tools and chainsaws to reach those calling for help from the rubble. Due to the high risk of a secondary slip, FENZ commanders ordered a "hard reset," clearing the site to implement a methodical, safe search strategy involving "spotters" and police dogs.

Transition from Rescue to Recovery

The 200 pages of briefings reveal the delicate shift in operations as the window for survivability closed. By the morning of January 24, search efforts focused on the campsite’s ablution block, which had suffered "catastrophic damage." The Incident Action Plan noted that the transition to a recovery mission was based on the "determination that no survivable voids remain."

Sector Management: The site was divided into three sectors, with crews working 8-hour rotations.

Geotechnical Oversight: Constant monitoring by geotechnical engineers was required, specifically after a small secondary landslide on the evening of January 23 halted work in Sector 1.