Mount Maunganui landslide recovery: Tauranga City Council faces community criticism
April 16, 2026
Petition launched as pressure mounts for more information, engagement and involvement.
Tauranga City Council is facing mounting pressure and sharp criticism from the Mount Maunganui community over its handling of the recovery efforts following the devastating landslide on January 22, 2026. Nearly three months after the tragic event that claimed six lives at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, residents and business leaders are voicing significant frustration over a perceived lack of communication, collaboration, and inclusion in the plans to restore the iconic mountain, Mauao. The area, a cultural and recreational heart for the region, remains largely closed, and the path to reopening is becoming a focal point of community discontent.
The fatal landslide, triggered by severe rainfall, caused more than 40 slips on the mountain, damaging the holiday park, the Mount Hot Pools, and critical infrastructure. In the immediate aftermath, emergency response was the priority, with police concluding their recovery operation by early February. However, as the focus shifted to long-term remediation, community leaders say the council's engagement has been inadequate. The Mount Maunganui Ratepayers, Residents and Retailers Association has accused the council of shutting locals out of the decision-making process, a sentiment echoed by the local business association which described engagement as "limited and fragmented". This growing frustration culminated in a 2,600-signature petition calling for the establishment of a residents' panel to be involved in discussions.
The council has acknowledged the community's frustration but has stated that a significant amount of assessment and planning is happening behind the scenes. Officials have pointed to the complexity of the situation, with ongoing geotechnical assessments needed to understand the risks before committing to a timeline for a staged reopening. The financial implications are substantial, with initial response costs exceeding $2 million and an estimated $8.6 million required for the next financial year, including a provisional $6 million for capital works to restore Mauao and other facilities. These figures have caused concern among locals who remember previous costly repairs after a slip in 2019.
Multiple investigations into the January disaster are underway, involving the coroner, WorkSafe New Zealand, and the police. In response to public pressure and a potential conflict of interest given its role as owner of the holiday park, the council has also initiated its own external review, appointing Hon Paul Davison KC to examine the systems and decision-making leading up to the tragedy. This review is expected to be completed by the middle of 2026 and will be made public. The Prime Minister had also indicated a strong case for an independent government inquiry to ensure impartiality.
As the community waits for answers and a clear path forward, the closures of Mauao's walking tracks, the holiday park, and other facilities continue to impact residents and the local economy. The council has scheduled meetings with business owners to gather feedback, a step that many hope will mark a turning point towards more collaborative engagement. For a community deeply connected to Mauao, the desire is not just for a safe and timely reopening, but for a transparent process that respects their role as stakeholders in the mountain's future, ensuring that the heart and soul of their town is restored with their voices being heard.
Source: nzherald