Key Takeaways:
- A landslide at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park on January 22 resulted in the loss of six lives.
- The author, Karyn Henger, and her son were camping at the park and narrowly escaped the tragedy.
- The author reflects on the events leading up to the landslide and questions the duty of care provided by the park’s management.
- The tragedy has left the author and her friends undecided about returning to the park, despite having happy memories of their previous visits.
- The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the park and the need for adequate warnings and precautions to prevent such tragedies in the future.
Introduction to the Tragedy
Karyn Henger reflects on the magic of her annual holidays at the Mount and why this year’s felt different from the beginning. She and her son, Mikey, have been holidaying at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park with a group of friends every January since 2021. However, this year’s trip was marked by a series of unusual events, including a rahui at Pilot Bay, cooler temperatures, and rain. Despite these setbacks, the group remained optimistic, but the atmosphere at the park felt off.
The Days Leading Up to the Landslide
The group’s excitement for their five-day trip was dampened by the cooler weather and rain. They spent their days painting by numbers, solving sudoku puzzles, and eating at local restaurants. On Wednesday, January 21, they woke up to heavy rain and decided to spend the day indoors. They received a red heavy rain warning for the Bay of Plenty, but no notifications or warnings from the park’s management. The group was unaware of the danger that was looming, and it wasn’t until the next morning that they realized the severity of the situation.
The Morning of the Landslide
On Thursday morning, Karyn and Mikey woke up to the sound of what they thought was more rain, but it turned out to be a waterfall coming off the Mount, just a meter behind their cabin. Still, there was no word from the park’s management, and the group was left to wonder what was happening. It wasn’t until their friends came running up through the campground, telling them about a landslide on the Pilot Bay side of the park, that they realized the gravity of the situation. A campervan was in one of the hot pools, and mud was still flowing down the slope.
The Aftermath
The atmosphere at the park was charged, and Karyn and her friends felt confused and unsafe. They quickly packed up their belongings and left the park, with a police officer taking their names at the gate. As they drove away, they saw brown water pouring out onto the street, and the hillside behind looked messy. It wasn’t until they heard the news reports on their drive back to Auckland that they realized the magnitude of what had happened. Six people had lost their lives in the landslide, and Karyn couldn’t believe that they might have just escaped with their lives.
Reflection and Questions
One week on, Karyn can’t stop thinking about the people who died. She reflects on the opportunities that were missed to prevent the tragedy, dating back years and right up until the hours and minutes beforehand. She questions the duty of care provided by the park’s management and wonders if it was adequate. The families of those who lost their lives deserve answers, and Karyn hopes that council and government inquiries will provide them. As for her and her friends, they are undecided about returning to the Mount, despite having happy memories of their previous visits. The tragedy has left a lasting impact, and they are still trying to come to terms with what happened.
Conclusion
The landslide at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park was a tragic event that resulted in the loss of six lives. Karyn Henger’s account of the events leading up to the tragedy and its aftermath is a poignant reminder of the importance of safety and duty of care. As the investigation into the tragedy continues, it is essential to examine the circumstances surrounding the landslide and to take steps to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future. The memories of the victims will live on, and it is crucial to honor their memory by ensuring that their deaths were not in vain.
