Timeline: the deadly Mount Maunganui landslide, the inquiry and the long road to reopening

Tauranga is on alert after three more slips at the site of a deadly landslide that claimed six lives in January.

The latest slips occurred at the weekend, taking place over a 48-hour period.

Experts were assessing the site on Monday after Tauranga City Council warned of a "major regression" at the site of January's deadly slips.

Here's a timeline of Mount Maunganui's deadly landslide:

Three further slips at Mauao, Mount Maunganui during weekend

January 2026

Six people died after a landslide at Beachside Holiday Park in Mount Maunganui, Tauranga, on Thursday, 22 January.

As heavy rain brought widespread flooding to the North Island - and some regions saw their wettest days on record - the landslide in Mount Maunganui hit campervans, tents, vehicles and an ablution block near the Mount Hot Pools at 9:30am.

Half a dozen people were quickly confirmed to be unaccounted for. Rescue efforts commenced, with emergency services painstakingly searching through the slip layer by layer.

Two days later, those efforts at Mauao transitioned into a recovery operation, and the victims' identities were confirmed by police.

They were Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, from Morrinsville; Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, from Sweden; Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, from Rotorua; Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, from Ngongotaha; Sharon Maccanico, 15, from Auckland; and Max Furse-Kee, 15, from Auckland.

As the community reeled from the news, the Tauranga community held a vigil on the Sunday after the deadly slip to remember those who lost their lives.

Another two people were killed when a landslide struck a property on Welcome Bay Road in Pāpāmoa.

On 27 January, police identified those victims as 10-year-old Austen Keith Richardson and his grandmother, 71-year-old Yao Fang.

February 2026

A few weeks after the deadly landslide, the government confirmed it was launching an inquiry into the events leading up to the disaster.

Geotechnical engineers continued to carry out assessments in the area, with the council confirming that a number of closures would remain in place.

At the time, they told media that the Pilot Bay boat ramp would be closed for the foreseeable future, and a red building placard was issued for Mount Maunganui Surf Club.

An automated alarm system was installed at the site of the campground, which would sound if there were further slips, and shipping containers were put in place to prevent any potential movement of debris.

Near the end of the month Tauranga mayor Mahé Drysdale said he remained confident Mauao would reopen despite the extensive damage to the landmark.

March 2026

On 17 March, Emergency Management and Recovery Associate Minister Chris Penk confirmed the inquiry was moving forward, with Cabinet agreeing on the Terms of Reference and membership for a government inquiry.

"The Inquiry will establish how the fatal landslides occurred, report on whether relevant agencies took appropriate steps to manage any apparent risk in the period immediately prior to the two fatal landslides - including steps to warn and evacuate people likely to be affected by the landslides - and identify any lessons that can be applied to reduce the risk of similar tragedies in future," he said in a statement at the time.

"Those responsible for the Inquiry will be required to communicate with the families of the victims about its progress. It is my expectation that this engagement will be conducted with respect and sensitivity, and that the work will proceed as efficiently as possible," he said.

The inquiry would begin considering evidence and information on 30 March, and be required to deliver a final report with recommendations by 3 December, 2026.

Mauao remained closed.

April 2026

In mid-April, Mount Maunganui Ratepayers, Residents and Retailers Association president Michael O'Neill accused the city council of excluding residents from plans to fix and reopen Mauao.

He said officials had "shut the doors to us as locals" and protests were possible unless things improved.

The local business association also said council engagement had been limited, with little collaboration and information, despite offers to help.

On 20 April, Tauranga City Council and the Mauao Trust released a statement confirming their continued commitment to restoring public access to Mauao.

Reopening Mauao would be staged and evidence-based, they announced, guided by geotechnical advice and joint decision-making through the partnership between Mauao Trust and Tauranga City Council.

They noted that the maunga remained a high hazard environment, with 42 identified landslides, including 12 classified as severe. Ongoing instability and the potential for further slips meant access still could not be restored.

On 30 April, almost 100 days since the landslide that killed six people, the council hosted a community meeting to update locals on progress with efforts to reopen Mauao.

Accommodation manager Gail Fagan welcomed the council's engagement with the public, telling RNZ that businesses were hurting.

"A lot of businesses are down 50 percent or even more because people aren't coming to the Mount... so the last few months have been extremely frustrating for most of us," she said at the time.

May 2026

At that community meeting, Tauranga's mayor confirmed restoration works at Mauao would begin early in May.

Halfway through the month, additional monitoring of the main landslide area was set up.

The council also debated building a $215,000 temporary bund to replace the shipping containers used as a landslide barrier.

June 2026

In June, Tauranga City Council extended the deadline for its external review into the landslide by a month.

A statement said: "While the Terms of Reference originally anticipated the report would be completed by 30 June, that timeframe has been extended until the end of July by [retired High Court Judge Hon Paul Davison] to allow sufficient time for all relevant information to be sourced and carefully considered."

Mayor Mahé Drysdale said he supported the delay.

"We know people want answers, and we remain committed to being open and transparent as this external review process continues," the mayor said in the statement.

July 2026

Near the end of July, disaster struck again at the site of the landslide that claimed six lives.

The council released a statement on 26 July: "We have seen a major regression at the site of the original landslide. The regression extends approximately 20 metres with a run out of approximately 100 metres. While it has not extended as far as the original run out, the material is saturated, mobile and fluid."

"We are currently unable to confirm if the closure of Adams Avenue will be lifted on Monday, 27 July 2026. Geotechnical assessments are ongoing and a further update will be provided when more information is available.

"Access has been retained for residents and businesses via the southern footpath. However, we ask that people do not linger in the area and follow any signage or directions from staff on site."