Government Inquiry into the Fatal Landslides in Tauranga
Public and Government Inquiries
The Government Inquiry is investigating two landslides which claimed eight lives at Mauao Mount Maunganui and Welcome Bay Road, Pāpāmoa, in January 2026.
Find out more:
The Inquiry will report back to the Government by 18 February 2027.
Contact the Inquiry: taurangalandslidesinquiry@dia.govt.nz
About the Inquiry
Background
The upper North Island experienced a series of severe storms from 15 January 2026. Flooding hit several catchments, and thousands of landslides occurred across five regions. Tauranga recorded its wettest day on record on 21 January 2026.
At about 4.15am on 22 January, a landslide severely damaged a house on Welcome Bay Road in Pāpāmoa. A 10-year-old boy and his 71-year-old grandmother died.
At about 9.30am the same day, a further six people died when a landslide came down on the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.
These events have caused profound grief for the families and loved ones of those who died, and that pain has been shared by the wider Tauranga community and across New Zealand. The Government initiated the Inquiry in response.
Purpose
The Government Inquiry is an independent investigation into the two fatal landslides. It will:
- Determine how the landslides occurred
- Determine whether agencies took appropriate steps to manage risks immediately before the landslides, including efforts to warn and evacuate people
- Identify lessons to help prevent similar tragedies in future.
Read the Inquiry’s terms of reference (gazette.govt.nz)
Out of scope
The Inquiry does not look into:
- Rescue and recovery efforts after the fatal landslides
- Individual insurance claims or matters relating to specific properties
- Civil, criminal or disciplinary liability of any person
