Lives Lost and Communities Shattered: Death Toll Rises as “Warzone” Flooding Ravages North Island

By Lions Roar News Emergency Desk

NEW ZEALAND (Thursday, January 22, 2026 — 9:00 PM NZDT) — A day of “profound tragedy” has gripped New Zealand as the true scale of a catastrophic storm system is revealed. Authorities have confirmed the deaths of two people in a massive landslide in Pāpāmoa, while emergency teams in the East Cape continue to rescue families from rooftops in scenes described by Emergency Minister Mark Mitchell as a “warzone.”

The dual tragedies in the Bay of Plenty and Tairāwhiti have prompted an outpouring of grief from national leaders, as hundreds remain displaced and vital infrastructure lies in ruins.

💔 Tragedy in Pāpāmoa: Two Confirmed Dead

The most somber update of the evening came from Welcome Bay Road in Pāpāmoa, where a massive early-morning slip decimated a residential property.

The Recovery: After a grueling 16-hour operation involving Fire and Emergency’s specialist search and rescue teams, police confirmed at 8:30 PM that two bodies had been recovered from the debris.
Complex Search: Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler described the site as a “high-risk environment.” Rescue teams worked through layers of mud and wreckage to locate the victims after the slip hit at 4:15 AM.
National Grief: Prime Minister Christopher Luxon stated the country is “heavy with grief,” calling the deaths a profound tragedy that has “shattered” families.

🚁 “Warzone” in Te Araroa: Rooftop Rescues

While the Bay of Plenty mourns, the East Cape remains in the grip of a humanitarian crisis. The settlements of Te Araroa, Onepoto, and Wharekahika have been the hardest hit by what locals describe as a torrent of mud, logs, and debris.

Five Hours on a Roof: In Hick’s Bay, a family of seven—including small children—spent five terrifying hours huddled on their roof as floodwaters rose. They were eventually rescued by helicopter and taken for medical assessment.
Total Devastation: Local resident Philippa Wright, who spent the night in her car on higher ground, described the aftermath as “devastation as far as the eye could see.” Her own home was inundated with mud and logs, while her neighbor’s house was declared a “complete write-off.”
Log Inundation: Aerial surveys show the Punaruku Stream area choked with massive woody debris (slash), burying fences and cars under half a meter of silt and rock.

🛣️ Infrastructure Collapse: State Highway 35

The East Coast remains largely isolated as the arterial State Highway 35 suffered multiple severe washouts and slips.

Current Closures: SH35 remains closed from Tolaga Bay to Ōpōtiki. While the section from Okitū to Tolaga Bay has reopened, Civil Defence is warning against any unnecessary travel.
Power Outages: More than 300 homes across the East Coast, including Wairoa, remain without power as crews struggle to reach damaged lines through the mud.

📊 Disaster Impact: Key Areas (Jan 22, 2026)

Location	Event	Casualties / Status
Pāpāmoa (Welcome Bay)	Massive Landslide	2 Confirmed Dead
Te Araroa	Severe Flooding/Slips	7 Rescued from Roof
Hick’s Bay	Flash Flood	Family Airlifted to Safety
East Cape Settlements	Silt/Slash Inundation	Cut off by road; No power