Heavy Rains Trigger Catastrophic Landslides Across North Island
Wellington — New Zealand’s North Island has been battered by intense rainfall, triggering powerful landslides that have killed at least two people and left several more missing, as emergency crews continue a massive search effort amid dangerous and unstable conditions. The disasters struck on January 22, 2026, affecting communities from Mount Maunganui to Welcome Bay and beyond.
The storms that lashed the eastern seaboard dropped unprecedented volumes of rain — in some areas more than two and a half months’ worth in just half a day — causing flooding, power outages, road closures and widespread soil saturation that destabilised hillsides and slopes.
Two Confirmed Dead, Multiple Sites Affected
The first fatal landslide struck a residence in Welcome Bay, near the coastal city of Tauranga, in the early hours of Thursday. Two occupants were found dead after earth and debris engulfed the home. Another two people escaped but remain in shock and under medical care.
Hours later, a much larger landslide tore through the Beachside Holiday Park adjacent to Mount Maunganui, a popular holiday spot on the base of an ancient volcanic dome. Campervans, caravans, cars, tents, and facilities were buried in tonnes of mud and debris.
Police and rescue teams have confirmed that several people remain unaccounted for in the aftermath of the Mount Maunganui slide. Authorities estimate the number of missing is in the single figures, though unclear communication and departures from the site without notifying officials have complicated official counts.
Children Among the Missing
Among the missing are children, including at least one young girl, local media reported, raising fears and urgency around the ongoing rescue operations. Emergency services initially heard voices from beneath the debris, but crews were forced to halt operations at times due to the risk of further ground movement and unstable terrain.
Fire and Emergency NZ officials have been using sniffer dogs, heavy machinery, and aerial searches, but hazardous conditions — including ongoing rainfall and the potential for additional slips — continue to hamper efforts.
Broader Weather Crisis Across the North Island
The landslides are part of a larger extreme weather event that has battered much of the North Island over the past week. Meteorological services issued rare red warnings for “threat to life”, with flooding destroying infrastructure, cutting power to thousands, and forcing evacuations in several regions.
One man remains missing outside the Tauranga area after being swept away by floodwaters while attempting to cross a swollen river. Authorities have also responded to numerous flood emergencies farther north, leading to a piecemeal but overwhelming disaster response across local and national agencies.
Government Response and Public Safety Measures
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed condolences to the families of those killed and pledged government support for affected communities. He urged residents in risk zones to follow official advisories and remain vigilant as weather systems shift eastward.
Emergency Management officials have described some affected areas as resembling a “war zone”, given the scale of debris, damaged infrastructure, and sheer force of natural upheaval. Evacuations continue in vulnerable coastal and riverside towns, and temporary shelters have been set up for displaced residents.
Scenes of Devastation and Community Impact
Eyewitness accounts from Mount Maunganui paint a harrowing picture: entire caravans displaced, shower blocks and amenities crushed, and frantic holidaymakers and residents scrambling for safety as earth roared down the slopes. Many families remain separated, uncertain about the fate of loved ones, and local hospitals are treating numerous minor injuries, mostly related to falls, slips, and exhaustion.
Social media and community groups have been flooded with pleas for information and assistance, with locals coordinating food, shelter, and search‑time support for volunteers and first responders. Some residents have described the event as one of the worst weather‑driven natural disasters they have ever experienced.
Geological and Climate Context
New Zealand’s North Island, with its volcanic and hilly landscapes, is prone to landslides when soil becomes saturated — especially after prolonged or intense rainfall. Experts have noted that climate change is increasing the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, potentially leading to more frequent instability in vulnerable terrain.
MetService meteorologists warn that while the worst of the current storm system is moving away, residual soil saturation and localized thunderstorms could trigger further slips — leading authorities to maintain heightened alert levels for several more days.
Ongoing Search and Community Resilience
At the Mount Maunganui holiday park, rescue workers continue meticulous searches through mounds of earth, pausing when rain or instability increases risks. Families wait anxiously at staging areas, sharing photos of missing loved ones and awaiting news from friends and authorities.
Local councils, volunteer groups, and national agencies have mobilised resources — from helicopters to emergency shelters — in a coordinated response that officials hope will save lives and restore some normalcy once immediate dangers pass. Support services, including counselling and financial aid, are being arranged for affected households.
As New Zealand reels from one of the most destructive series of landslides in recent memory, the nation mourns its dead, prays for the missing, and braces for the long work of recovery ahead.
