Rescue teams are racing against time after a landslide hit a busy holiday park at Mount Maunganui in New Zealand, leaving several people missing, including children.
The incident happened on Thursday morning local time, after days of heavy rain battered large parts of the country’s North Island, triggering flooding, road closures, and mass evacuations.
Authorities say unstable ground continues to slow rescue efforts, raising fears for those still unaccounted for.
What happened at Mount Maunganui, and when did it occur?
The landslide struck the Mount Maunganui holiday park at around 9:30am local time on Thursday (8:30pm Wednesday in the UK). According to local officials, a large slip of earth came down suddenly, hitting campervans and a shower block at the popular seaside campsite.
The site was busy due to the final week of New Zealand’s summer school holidays, meaning families and children were staying overnight when the ground gave way.
Emergency services confirmed that several people remain missing, though police have said the number is believed to be in the single figures.
“It is possible that we could find someone alive,” said Superintendent Tim Anderson, Police District Commander, during a media briefing.
Who is involved in the rescue operation?
Multiple emergency agencies are working at the scene, including:
- New Zealand Police
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand
- Urban Search and Rescue teams
- Local council emergency management units
Fire and Emergency Commander William Park said first responders initially detected possible signs of life in the rubble but had to pull back due to safety risks.
“There were concerns about further ground movement. The risk to rescuers was too high,” Park said.
Members of the public reportedly tried to help before emergency crews arrived and claimed they heard voices beneath the debris.
Are children among those missing?
Yes. New Zealand’s Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell confirmed that children are among the missing, a detail that has deepened public concern across the country.
The holiday park is a well-known family destination, particularly popular with tourists and locals during school breaks.
What is happening elsewhere on New Zealand’s North Island?
The Mount Maunganui landslide is part of a wider weather emergency affecting much of the North Island.
Other reported incidents include:
- Papamoa: Two people are missing after a landslide hit a residential home
- Near Auckland: A 47-year-old man is missing after his car was swept away while attempting to cross the flooded Mahurangi River
- Dozens of roads are closed due to flooding and slips
- Homes evacuated as rivers burst their banks
Radio New Zealand described the rainfall as persistent and intense, with some areas receiving a month’s worth of rain in just a few days.
Why are rescue efforts so difficult?
Rescuers face several major challenges at Mount Maunganui:
- Unstable ground that could collapse again at any moment
- Saturated soil from ongoing rainfall
- Limited access for heavy machinery
- Safety risks for emergency workers
Officials have stressed that operations will only continue when conditions allow, balancing urgency with rescuer safety.
What has New Zealand’s prime minister said?
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said he is closely monitoring the situation nationwide.
Thinking of all who’ve been caught up in the devastating storms across New Zealand, with particular concern for those still missing after the Mount Maunganui campsite landslide. You can read my statement below. pic.twitter.com/ShIHN6prSc
— Senator Paul Scarr (@senatorscarr) January 22, 2026
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), he said he was “actively monitoring situations across the country,” including the response at Mount Maunganui.
Is climate change playing a role in events like this?
Scientists and climate experts have repeatedly warned that extreme rainfall events are becoming more frequent and more intense due to climate change.
Warmer air holds more moisture, which increases the likelihood of:
- Sudden downpours
- Flash flooding
- Landslides in vulnerable areas
New Zealand, like the UK, has seen a sharp rise in weather-related emergencies over the past decade.
While no single weather event can be blamed entirely on climate change, experts say the overall risk is clearly increasing.
Why does this matter to a UK audience?
Many people in the UK travel to New Zealand, including Mount Maunganui, which is a well-known stop for British tourists and backpackers.
The incident also highlights a wider issue that affects the UK too: how extreme weather can quickly turn deadly, even in well-developed countries.
In recent years, the UK has faced its own deadly floods and landslides, particularly in parts of Wales, Scotland, and northern England.
