Mauao landslide in Tauranga shows fresh regression, safety closures remain

A new regression of the landslide on Mount Maunganui (Mauao) in Tauranga, New Zealand, was detected in late July 2026. Council monitoring showed about 8,000 m³ of earth shifted, comparable to the volume moved during the January 22 slip that killed six people at the Beachside Holiday Park. Experts observed fresh cracking and groundwater emergence, indicating the slope remains highly unstable.

Tauranga City Council has kept safety measures in place, including the closure of Adams Avenue and the Pilot Bay boat ramp, while recovery manager Charlie Rahiri and acting Mayor Jen Scoular stress that safety is paramount. Ongoing assessments will determine when, if ever, the public can return to the area, which remains under the Trigger Alert Response Plan’s Level 3 restrictions.