Recovery Operations Conclude: Police Stand Down at Mount Maunganui Landslide Site
By Lions Roar Aotearoa Emergency & Regional Desk
MOUNT MAUNGANUI, NEW ZEALAND (Sunday, February 1, 2026) — A somber chapter in the Bay of Plenty’s history has reached a milestone this morning as New Zealand Police officially stood down all recovery operations at the site of the catastrophic January 22 landslide.
The disaster, which struck a popular campground during a period of extreme heavy rain, claimed the lives of six people. Following ten days of intensive, harrowing work, specialist search teams and Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) units have now demobilized from the scene.
🕊️ A Final Farewell to the Scene
The decision to end the recovery phase follows the completion of all feasible search activities by Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s (FENZ) specialist Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) team.
- Formal Demobilization: The USAR team departed yesterday evening, marking the transition from an emergency response to a long-term recovery and investigation phase.
- Family Notifications: Bay of Plenty Police District Commander, Superintendent Tim Anderson, confirmed that the grieving families were notified of the operational stand-down yesterday evening.
- Scene Security: While the active search has ended, the immediate area surrounding the landslide remains cordoned off due to ongoing geological instability.
“Our thoughts remain firmly with the families of the six individuals lost in this tragedy,” Superintendent Anderson said. “Their lives were cut short in a truly devastating event, and our focus now shifts to supporting the Coroner’s investigation.”
🏗️ What Happens Next?
As the heavy machinery and specialist teams leave, the focus for the Mount Maunganui community and local authorities shifts toward healing and analysis.
- Coronial Inquiry: The DVI team has completed its work, and the findings will now be handed over to the Coroner to formally determine the causes of death.
- Geological Assessment: Engineers will continue to monitor the cliff face and soil stability to determine if the campground can ever safely reopen.
- Community Support: Local iwi and community groups are expected to hold blessings (whakawātea) at the site in the coming days to honor those who passed.
📊 Incident Summary: Mount Maunganui Landslide
| Detail | Fact |
| Date of Incident | January 22, 2026 |
| Location | Mount Maunganui Campground |
| Total Casualties | 6 Confirmed Deaths |
| Recovery End Date | February 1, 2026 |
| Lead Agencies | NZ Police, FENZ (USAR), DVI |
