Government Inquiry into the Fatal Landslides in Tauranga
Public and Government Inquires
Government Inquiry extends public submissions period (14 August 2026)
Calls for public submission (21 July 2026)
Progress update (15 May 2026)
About the Inquiry
Inquiry purpose
Inquiry scope (Terms of Reference)
Out of scope
Inquiry members
Public hearings
Other Inquiries into landslides
Contact the Inquiry
Terms of Reference
Government Inquiry extends public submissions period
14 August 2026
Public submissions for the Government Inquiry into the Fatal Landslides in Tauranga have been extended for another three weeks.
The Inquiry is giving members of the public extra time to provide information and share their perspectives on the fatal landslides that occurred at Mauao Mount Maunganui and Welcome Bay Road, Pāpāmoa on 22 January 2026. Public submissions will now close at 5pm on 4 September.
Inquiry Chair Sir Mark O'Regan says a high calibre of submissions has already been received, and further contributions from the public are welcome.
"We have received thoughtful and informative submissions from people with a wide range of knowledge, experience and perspectives," Sir Mark says.
"Those submissions are already valuable in helping the Inquiry build a fuller picture of the circumstances surrounding these tragic events and the lessons that can be learned from them. Extending the submissions period will allow more people to share information that may assist the Inquiry's work."
The Inquiry wants to hear from anyone who has information about:
- how the landslides occurred
- whether agencies took appropriate steps to manage any risks immediately before the two fatal landslides, including efforts to warn and evacuate people
- lessons that can be learned to help prevent similar tragedies in the future.
People can make submissions through the online portal and can also provide supporting material such as photographs, video footage and other relevant information that has not already been provided to Police or other investigating agencies.
Submissions can be made online at:
Government Inquiry into the Fatal Landslides in Tauranga submissions portal
Media enquiries:
TaurangaLandslidesInquiry@dia.govt.nz
027 252 9886
Government Inquiry calls for public submission
21 July 2026
The Government Inquiry into the Fatal Landslides in Tauranga wants to hear from members of the public who have information on the landslides that occurred on 22 January 2026 at Mauao Mount Maunganui and Welcome Bay Road, Papamoa.
Submissions can be made via an online portal https://consultations.dia.govt.nz/tauranga-fatal-landslides-inquiry/submissions/ which opens on Tuesday 21 July 2026 and closes at 5pm on 11 August. People can also use the portal to submit video footage and photos and share information relevant to the Inquiry’s terms of reference, including drone footage and rain gauge measurements.
The Inquiry Chair, the Honourable Sir Mark O’Regan, says the Inquiry wants to hear from anyone who has information about:
- how the landslides occurred
- whether agencies took appropriate steps to manage any risks immediately before the two fatal landslides, including any efforts to warn and evacuate people.
- It also wants the public to help the Inquiry identify any lessons learnt which will prevent similar tragedies happening again.
Sir Mark says the Inquiry recognises the significant impact these landslides have had on the families and friends of the victims, iwi and communities across Tauranga and beyond.
“Our thoughts remain with everyone who has experienced loss as a result of these tragic events,” he says. “This submissions process is an important opportunity for the public to share their experiences and perspectives."
Sir Mark says the Inquiry is interested in any information that hasn’t already been provided to police. Information on insurance claims or matters relating to individual properties, or information about rescue and recovery at either site are outside the scope of the Inquiry’s terms of reference.
The Inquiry has already undertaken site visits, met with affected families and iwi, and has begun gathering evidence. The Inquiry is one of four investigations into the landslides. A Police and Coronial process is underway. In addition, both Tauranga City Council and WorkSafe have commissioned investigations into the landslides.
Media queries:
TaurangaLandslidesInquiry@dia.govt.nz
+64 27 252 9886
Progress Update from the Inquiry
15 May 2026
The Government Inquiry into Fatal Landslides in Tauranga has begun its work with members visiting key sites and talking with families and iwi.
Sir Mark O’Regan says one of the first priorities was to reach out to the family members of those who tragically lost their lives and iwi and to visit key sites.
He says the Inquiry will work to identify exactly what happened and what can be learnt to reduce the risk of similar tragedies in the future.
Sir Mark says the Inquiry will keep family members informed throughout the Inquiry.
A pōhiri has been held with members meeting representatives from Ngāti Ranginui, Ngāi te Rangi, Ngāti Pukenga and the Mauao Trust. Also present were iwi representatives on Nga Poutiriao, the management body for Mauao, including a representative from Waitaha Bay of Plenty.
Tom Powell and Karen Jones have been appointed as a Counsel Assists on the Inquiry bringing extensive experience to the team. Tom led investigations at the Infected Blood Inquiry (UK) before returning to New Zealand where he worked on the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Abuse in Care, leading the Inquiry’s legal and investigations function. He is a barrister based in Wellington at Bowen Chambers. Karen has experience in investigations and litigation involving serious and sensitive matters, including coronial inquests. Most recently, she was part of the legal team assisting the Dilworth Independent Inquiry.
Gillian Ferguson has been appointed as the Executive Director to lead the Secretariat for the Inquiry. Gillian is a senior public sector leader, with inquiry and public policy expertise.
The Inquiry notes that the Tauranga City Council has commissioned a review of the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park Landslide. The Inquiry may have regard to the review's report but will not be bound by it. The Inquiry also understands that the Police, on behalf of the Coroner, and WorkSafe have commenced inquiries, which are ongoing.
About the Inquiry
The upper North Island experienced a series of severe storms from 15 January 2026. As a result, there was flooding in several catchments and thousands of landslides across five regions. Tauranga experienced its wettest day on record on 21 January.
At around 4.15am on 22 January, two people died after a landslide severely damaged a house on Welcome Bay Road, Pāpāmoa.
At around 9.30am on 22 January, six people died after a landslide at the base of Mauao Mount Maunganui at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.
These events have caused profound grief. For the families and loved ones of those who died, the loss has been devastating and that pain has been shared by the wider Tauranga community and by people throughout New Zealand.
The Government recognises the significant public concern regarding these tragic events. It acknowledges the importance for the families, local iwi and the wider community of determining exactly what caused the fatal landslides and whether the agencies involved took reasonable and appropriate steps to protect the safety of those who were killed or at risk from the landslides.
Inquiry purpose
The Government Inquiry is an independent investigation established to examine the two fatal landslides.
It will:
- determine how the landslides occurred
- determine whether agencies took appropriate steps to manage any risks immediately before the two fatal landslides, including any efforts to warn and evacuate people
- identify any lessons to be learned which will prevent similar tragedies happening again.
Inquiry scope (Terms of Reference)
The Inquiry will examine the two fatal landslides that happened in Tauranga on 22 January 2026:
- The landslide at Mauao Mount Maunganui.
- The landslide at Welcome Bay Road, Pāpāmoa.
The Inquiry will investigate:
What caused the landslides, including
- the topology and geology of the land and slopes where the landslides occurred
- how the storms and heavy rain between 15 and 22 January contributed to the landslides
- whether previous severe weather events played a role
- whether changes to vegetation or land use in the area contributed to the landslides.
What agencies knew about the risks
- What relevant agencies knew about landslide risks in these areas.
- What lessons had been identified from landslides and other related risks in the area.
What information was available before the landslides
The Inquiry will examine what information was available in the hours and days leading up to the landslides that could have been used to provide warnings about potential landsides, including:
- weather forecasts and severe weather warnings
- rainfall measurements and landslip events related to that rainfall
- calls from the public to emergency services, including 111 calls
- any other warnings received from members of the public before the landslides
- any inspections or assessments carried out at the sites before the landslides occurred.
How agencies responded
- What powers and responsibilities relevant agencies had before the landslides.
- What powers they had to warn or evacuate people.
- How these powers and responsibilities were used before the landslides occurred.
Relevant agencies include:
- Tauranga City Council
- Western Bay of Plenty District Council.
- Bay of Plenty Regional Council.
- The Mauao Trust.
- Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ).
- New Zealand Police.
- Management of the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.
- Management of the Mount Hot Pools.
- Any other people or organisations with relevant involvement, including landowners.
- The regional Civil Defence Emergency Management (CDEM) system and the Bay of Plenty CDEM group
- Any other agency that had a role or responsibility to the safety or welfare of people in and around the vicinity of the landslides.
The Inquiry will also investigate whether:
- relevant agencies took appropriate and timely steps to manage the risk of the fatal landslides
- those agencies could or should have done more to keep people safe, including warning people about the risk or evacuating people from affected areas.
Findings
The Inquiry will look at whether:
- agencies involved took the right actions, at the right time, to manage landslide risks at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park and on Welcome Bay Road in Pāpāmoa
- whether there was anything else those agencies could have done to reduce the risk of people being killed or injured, such as issuing warnings or evacuating people from nearby areas.
Recommendations
The Inquiry will recommend:
- practical changes and improvements that agencies can make to help prevent deaths or serious injuries from similar landslides in the future
- whether agencies have enough legal powers and authority to respond effectively when there is an immediate risk of death or serious injury from future landslides.
Out of scope
- The Inquiry will not look into what happened during the rescue and recovery efforts after the fatal landslides.
- It will not repeat work that has already been done by the Government Inquiry into the response to the severe weather events in the North Island.
- The Inquiry will only look at legislative, administrative, and policy settings if it believes they played an important role in causing the fatal landslides at Mauao Mount Maunganui Welcome Bay Road, Pāpāmoa.
- The Inquiry cannot determine civil, criminal, or disciplinary liability of any person. The Inquiry may make findings of fault.
- If there is uncertainty about what is within the scope of the Inquiry, the responsible Minister will make the final decision.
Inquiry members
The Inquiry is chaired by the Honourable Sir Mark O’Regan, a retired Supreme Court Judge and former President of the Court of Appeal. He is supported by Dr Helen Anderson, former Chief Science Adviser and Ministry of Research, Science and Technology CEO, and Steve Symon, a legal expert with experience in WorkSafe New Zealand investigations.
Public hearings
While there are no public hearings, people can provide information on the landsides to the Inquiry (see media release above). A public submissions process opened on 21 July and closes at 5pm on 11 August. It is accessible via this link:
Other inquiries into the landslides
The Government Inquiry is one of a number of investigations into the landslides. A Coronial inquiry is underway. In addition, both Tauranga City Council and WorkSafe have commissioned investigations into the landslides.
Contact the Inquiry
- TaurangaLandslidesInquiry@dia.govt.nz
- Media contact +64 27 252 9886
Terms of Reference
Government Inquiry into the Fatal Landslides in Tauranga - 2026-go1496 | New Zealand Gazette
