Thursday, January 22, 2026-A powerful landslide struck a popular campground at Mount Maunganui on New Zealand’s North Island, leaving several people missing, including at least one child, as rescue teams raced to find survivors amid dangerous and unstable conditions. The incident, triggered by record rainfall and extreme weather, hit the Base Beachside Holiday Park early Thursday morning, burying campervans, tents, cars, and a toilet/shower block under mounds of mud and debris.
Emergency crews, including urban search and rescue teams with sniffer dogs, worked through the day and into the night searching the site. Officials described the situation as a major and ongoing rescue operation, with the number of missing people believed to be in the “single figures.”
First responders initially heard voices beneath the rubble, giving hope that survivors might be found, but no confirmed rescues had been made as conditions forced crews to temporarily pull back for safety reasons. Police and Fire and Emergency New Zealand stressed the complexity of the unstable terrain, with further slips a risk, complicating the search.
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell confirmed a young girl was among those unaccounted for, and authorities continued to work carefully to locate anyone trapped in the landslide’s aftermath. The campground and surrounding area were evacuated, and public access was restricted to allow rescuers to work.
The disaster is part of widespread extreme weather across the North Island, which has caused flooding, power outages, and additional landslides in nearby communities. Officials used helicopters and heavy machinery to support search efforts and urged the public to stay clear so emergency services can operate safely and efficiently. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and local leaders pledged continued support for affected families and communities as the search continues and recovery efforts unfold.
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