At least two people have died after landslides struck a house and a holiday campground on New Zealand’s North Island following days of record-breaking rain, as emergency crews raced to rescue people trapped.
Police said the first landslide hit a house in Welcome Bay at about 4.50am on Thursday (3.50pm GMT on Wednesday). Two people escaped, but the bodies of two others trapped inside were later recovered, emergency management minister Mark Mitchell said.
Hours later, a second landslide hit Beachside Holiday Park, at the base of Mount Maunganui, crushing vehicles, campervans and an amenities block. Police said the number of people unaccounted for there was in the “single figures”, with sniffer dogs deployed to search the rubble.
“There was a shower block … and there were people using that at the time the slide came through,” Mitchell told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said early searches detected voices from beneath the debris but crews were later forced to withdraw because of unstable ground.
Further north, a man remains missing after being swept away by floodwaters near Warkworth on Wednesday.
Search efforts at campsite to continue overnight
Rescuers and emergency services will continue their search overnight, as several people, including children, remain missing.
Megan Stiffler, a fire and emergency services official, said: “This is a complex and high-risk environment, and our teams are working to achieve the best possible outcome while keeping everyone safe. The teams will be operating overnight until the search is complete.
The country’s urban search and rescue team is removing layers of debris as earthmoving equipment has been brought on site to assist.
Harriette Boucher22 January 2026 10:30
Several missing after landslide rips through popular campsite in New Zealand
One major landslide struck a campground at the base of Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcano that’s both a popular tourist destination and sacred Māori site, on Thursday morning, overturning campervans, crushing tents, and hitting a toilet and shower block, according to emergency officials.
Harriette Boucher22 January 2026 10:22
Climate change putting ‘stress and strain’ on communities, says former PM
New Zealand’s opposition leader Chris Hipkins said climate change was putting “stress and strain” on communities as the country continues to see more tragic weather events.
In a post on Facebook, the former prime minister said: “Events like these take a real toll, and no one should have to face them alone.
“My thoughts tonight are with all those who have been affected by the extreme weather events that have hit New Zealand in the past few days.
“My deepest sympathy goes to those who have lost loved ones or are still waiting for news, and to everyone who has been forced from their homes or injured.”
Harriette Boucher22 January 2026 10:15
Nine people thought to be missing in landslide, local media reports
As many as nine people are unaccounted for after a landslide crashed down on Mount Maunganui’s campsite on Thursday, according to local media.
Police have yet to confirm the number, but earlier said it was in “the single figures”.
NZ Herald understands from a source involved in the rescue efforts that several people remained missing under the landslide.
Harriette Boucher22 January 2026 09:59
Watch: Several missing after New Zealand landslide rips through popular campsite
Harriette Boucher22 January 2026 09:32
New Zealand’s east coast a ‘war zone’, says emergency minister
New Zealand’s emergency minister Mark Mitchell has likened the country’s east coast to a “warzone” as the aftermath of the flooding comes to light.
In a post on X on Thursday morning, Mr Mitchell said: “It is with a heavy heart that I send my thoughts and condolences to the family that have lost two of their loved ones in the Welcome Bay slip.
“Our thoughts as a country are with you. Thank you to teams that worked so hard to recover them, I know how you will be feeling.”
Harriette Boucher22 January 2026 09:26
Firefighters union calls off strike as ‘extremely difficult’ days to follow
New Zealand’s Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has cancelled its strike planned for Friday, stating that the following days will be “extremely difficult for many families and communities”.
NZPFU national secretary Wattie Watson said: “We acknowledge the heroic efforts of members of the public who have braved deadly conditions to rescue their loved ones and neighbours, and in some cases, strangers.
“We also acknowledge all the emergency responders from numerous agencies, including those that work and volunteer for FENZ, who have worked tirelessly in different regions since Sunday’s deluge in Northland.”
Harriette Boucher22 January 2026 09:13
‘Scariest thing ever,’ says Australian tourist who witnessed the landslide
Australian tourist Sonny Worrall said he was relaxing in a hot pool within the campground when he heard and then saw the landslide.
“I looked behind me and there’s a huge landslide coming down. And I’m still shaking from it now,” Mr Worrall told New Zealand’s 1News news service.
“I turned around and I had to jump out from my seat as fast as I could and just run.”
Mr Worrall said he looked back to see the rubble carrying a travel trailer behind him.
“It was like the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced in my life,” he said.
Stuti Mishra22 January 2026 09:00
‘Doing everything we can,’ says NZ PM
New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon urged residents in affected areas to heed local authorities’ safety advice during the extreme conditions.
“Extreme weather continues to cause dangerous conditions across the North Island. Right now, the government is doing everything we can to support those impacted,” Mr Luxon posted on social media.
Stuti Mishra22 January 2026 08:45
