Mount Maunganui landslide: Children feared missing after campground buried by debris as rescuers search site after heavy rain

A powerful Mount Maunganui landslide triggered by record rainfall has left several people, including children, missing after part of a well-known campground was destroyed in New Zealand. Search and rescue teams are working urgently at the scene, combing through debris as families gather nearby awaiting news.

The collapse occurred at a holiday park in Mt. Maunganui, a popular tourist destination, early Thursday (January 22). According to the NZ Herald, the area experienced its wettest day on record, with rainfall equivalent to two-and-a-half months falling within 12 hours.

Authorities said children are believed to be among those unaccounted for after the Mount Maunganui collapse. The campground has been closed, and emergency crews remain on site attempting to locate missing people in the debris, noted mirror.co.uk.


Tauranga City Council confirmed that most people at the Mount Holiday Park were successfully evacuated following the disaster. However, several individuals remain missing, prompting an ongoing emergency response.

New Zealand’s Minister for Emergency Management, Mark Mitchell, told NZ herald that “young people” are among those missing. Parents and relatives have gathered at a nearby surf club, waiting for word as rescuers work against time and unstable conditions.

About Mount Maunganui

Mount Maunganui, located around 240 kilometers southeast of Auckland, also known as Mauao, is a coastal landmark rising 232 meters above the sea in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty. The area is known for its white-sand beaches, warm ocean surf, and calm swimming spots at Pilot Bay. A popular destination year-round, Mount Maunganui hosts numerous beach, ocean, and multisport events and is well suited for relaxed seaside activities.