Recovery Operations Suspended at Mt Maunganui Following Warnings of Further Slips
By Lions Roar Aotearoa Traffic & Safety Desk
MOUNT MAUNGANUI, NEW ZEALAND (Sunday, January 25, 2026) — Emergency recovery operations at Mt Maunganui (Mauao) have been abruptly halted this afternoon as geotechnical experts warn of “imminent” further landslides.
The decision to pull crews off the slopes comes after sensors detected significant ground movement following the heavy rainfall that has battered the Bay of Plenty region over the Anniversary weekend.
🔴 LIVE UPDATES: Ground Conditions Critical
- 4:15 PM – Immediate Suspension: All heavy machinery and ground crews have been evacuated from the base track and upper slips sites. Civil Defence officials state the risk to personnel has reached “unacceptable levels.”
- 3:45 PM – Sensor Alerts: Automated monitoring systems on the eastern face of the mountain triggered alarms after the land shifted more than 15mm in a two-hour window.
- Weather Impact: Meteorologists warn that while the rain has eased, the soil remains “hyper-saturated,” meaning slips can occur even in fine weather as water settles into deep fissures.
🚧 Public Safety & Closures
The Tauranga City Council has expanded the exclusion zone around the mountain.
- Full Closure: All tracks on Mauao, including the popular Base Track and the Summit Track, remain strictly closed to the public.
- Security Patrols: Security personnel are patrolling the perimeter after reports of individuals attempting to bypass barriers to take photos of the debris.
- Maritime Warning: A temporary no-go zone has been established for small watercraft near the shoreline where debris is actively falling into the ocean.
📊 Mt Maunganui Safety Status
| Feature | Current Status |
| Track Access | ALL TRACKS CLOSED |
| Recovery Work | SUSPENDED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE |
| Risk Level | High (Unstable Terrain) |
| Next Assessment | Tomorrow Morning (Mon, Jan 26) |
🗣️ Official Statement
“Our priority is the safety of our workers and the public,” said a Tauranga City Council spokesperson. “The mountain is currently very volatile. We understand the frustration of residents and visitors, but we cannot risk lives for recovery work while the ground is still moving.”
