North Island Landslides Kill 2, Several Feared Buried
Heavy बारिश over several days triggered landslides in New Zealand’s North Island, where two people have died and rescuers are still searching for others feared…
WELLINGTON — Heavy बारिश over the last few days triggered landslides across New Zealand’s North Island, killing two people and leaving several others feared buried. Authorities said the search is continuing through the night after rubble and crushed caravans were found at a campground on Mount Maunganui.
The deaths were reported at Welcome Bay. Rescue workers are still searching through debris at another site, where officials said there were no “signs of life”.
Authorities gave only limited details about the missing group. They said they had a “rough idea” of how many people were unaccounted for, but were waiting for an exact figure. The group includes “at least one young girl”, officials added.
Search teams face a risky scene
Footage from the campsite on Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcano, shows a huge slip near the base of the volcanic dome. Sniffer dogs and rescuers were seen combing through flattened tents and damaged caravans.
“This is a complex and high-risk environment, and our teams are working to achieve the best possible outcome while keeping everyone safe,” said Megan Stiffler, the deputy national commander for the Urban Search and Rescue team.
The authority’s caution reflects the conditions on the ground. The landslides hit a place that is both a sacred Māori site and one of the country’s most popular campgrounds. A local holiday website had described it as a “slice of paradise”.
But the site has also been repeatedly hit by landslides in recent years. That history has now become part of the emergency response, as teams work in terrain already known for instability.
The weather damage spread beyond the hillside collapse. Heavy rains also caused flooding and power outages across the North Island, turning the disaster into a wider disruption for communities already dealing with dangerous conditions.
One minister said the east coast resembled “a war zone”. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on X that New Zealand is “heavy with grief” after the “profound tragedy” caused by recent weather.
What the flood and slide mean on the ground
For residents and holidaymakers, the immediate danger is not only from the fallen earth itself. The wider storm system has knocked out power, damaged access routes and slowed rescue efforts, making it harder for teams to reach unstable areas and check on people who may still be trapped.
That matters far beyond one campground. When heavy rain turns to flooding and slope failure, emergency crews have to deal with missing persons, blocked terrain and the risk of additional collapses at the same time. The response becomes slower, more careful and more uncertain.
Australian tourist Sonny Worrall described the moment the slide began while he was swimming in a hot pool. “I heard this huge tree crack and all this dirt come off, and then I looked behind me and there's this huge landslide coming down,” he told local broadcaster TVNZ.
“I'm still shaking from it now... I turned around and had to jump out of my seat and just run,” he added.
Hiker Mark Tangney told the New Zealand Herald he heard people screaming from under the rubble.
Authorities said the search would continue through the night.
