“Heartbreaking”: Two Teenagers Among Six Still Missing in Mount Maunganui Landslide

By Lions Roar Aotearoa News

MOUNT MAUNGANUI, BAY OF PLENTY (Friday, January 23, 2026) — The search for survivors at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park has reached a critical and emotional juncture. Authorities have confirmed that at least six people are officially missing, with the devastating news that two teenagers are among those unaccounted for.

The landslide, triggered by the relentless weather of the past 48 hours, struck the campground at approximately 9:30 AM on Thursday, instantly burying a central toilet block and several campsites under a massive wall of earth.

⏳ A Race Against Time and Mud

Rescue teams have been working around the clock, but the operation has been plagued by treacherous conditions.

• The Missing: While official numbers have fluctuated, police now confirm six primary targets for the search. The inclusion of two teenagers has added a layer of profound grief to the families waiting at the nearby surf club.
• The “Hero” Search: Teams are still focused on the shower block area, where a woman—described by survivors as a hero for waking others up at 5:00 AM—is believed to be trapped alongside others.
• Secondary Slips: Search efforts were temporarily halted late Thursday after the slope showed signs of further movement. “We cannot risk more lives to save those beneath,” stated one emergency responder.

🕯️ The Families’ Vigil

Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell, who visited the site again this morning, described the scene at the family liaison center as “shattering.”

“As a parent, you can only imagine the agony of those waiting for news about their children,” Mitchell said. “The teenagers involved were part of a family group enjoying their summer holidays. It is simply heartbreaking.”

Police Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) teams are working alongside family liaison officers to provide support, though they have warned that the “reconciliation process”—matching campground records with those safely evacuated—is ongoing and complex.

📊 Search & Rescue Operations Status