Tauranga landslide inquiry deadline extended to February 2027

The New Zealand Government has extended the deadline for the inquiry into the fatal January 2026 landslides in Tauranga. The final report, originally expected in early December, is now scheduled for delivery by 18 February 2027.

Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden stated that the extension was requested by the Inquiry Chair, Sir Mark O’Regan, to allow for a thorough examination of the Davison Review. This external review, commissioned by the Tauranga City Council, was delivered on 19 August 2026 after several delays.

The inquiry is investigating two devastating landslides that occurred following severe storms: one at Welcome Bay Road in Pāpāmoa and another at Mauao Mount Maunganui. The events resulted in eight deaths, including a 10-year-old boy and his grandmother. The investigation aims to determine how the landslides occurred, whether agencies managed risks appropriately, and if adequate warnings or evacuations were issued to prevent future tragedies.