Key Takeaways:
- A 111 call was received by Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) at 5:48am on Thursday, January 22, reporting a slip near the Mt Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.
- FENZ notified the Tauranga City Council, the landowners of the camping ground, within minutes of receiving the call.
- A fatal landslide occurred at the holiday park at around 9:30am, resulting in six people missing and presumed dead.
- WorkSafe is assessing its role in investigating the incident and will work closely with New Zealand Police to determine next steps.
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has supported Tauranga City Council’s decision to conduct a full, independent review into the landslide.
Introduction to the Incident
The recent landslide at the Mt Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park has raised many questions about the events leading up to the tragedy. According to Deputy National Commander Megan Stiffler, FENZ received a 111 call at 5:48am on Thursday, January 22, reporting a slip near the holiday park. The call takers immediately notified the Tauranga City Council, the landowners of the camping ground, at 5:51am. However, the initial slip did not impact life or property, and therefore, Fire and Emergency did not respond with firefighters. Instead, they relied on the Tauranga City Council to take necessary actions as the landowner responsible.
The Landslide and Its Aftermath
Tragically, a second and more devastating landslide occurred at around 9:30am, smashing into campervans, tents, vehicles, and an ablution block near the Mount Hot Pools. The landslide resulted in six people missing and presumed dead, including Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, Sharon Maccanico, 15, and Max Furse-Kee, 15. The victims’ families and the community are still trying to come to terms with the loss, and many questions are being raised about the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Investigation and Response
WorkSafe, the government agency responsible for workplace health and safety, has announced that it is assessing its role in investigating the incident. Rob Pope, the head of inspectorate, stated that WorkSafe needs to understand the scope and context of the event before committing resources to a formal investigation. The agency will work closely with New Zealand Police to determine next steps and will investigate the organizations that had a duty of care for everyone at the holiday park. The focus currently remains on the recovery efforts, and WorkSafe has extended an offer of support to Emergency Management Bay of Plenty and other agencies to ensure that workers involved in the response are kept safe and healthy.
Government Response and Review
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has supported Tauranga City Council’s decision to conduct a full, independent review into the landslide. Luxon acknowledged that there are "legitimate questions" about why the campground was not evacuated earlier and stated that the government will work to provide answers as quickly as possible. Tauranga City Council Controller Tom McEntyre has announced that the council will wait for the outcome of the investigation before making any comments. The council has secured the site and will undertake a process to examine the events that took place before and during the tragic event once the recovery efforts are completed and the landslide area is deemed stable.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The Mt Maunganui landslide has raised many questions about the events leading up to the tragedy, and it is essential that a thorough investigation is conducted to provide answers to the families of the victims and the community. The government and relevant agencies are working together to ensure that the investigation is thorough and that those responsible are held accountable. As the recovery efforts continue, it is crucial that the focus remains on providing support to the affected families and ensuring that similar tragedies are prevented in the future. The outcome of the investigation and review will be crucial in determining the next steps and ensuring that the necessary measures are taken to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.
