At least two individuals have died after landslides struck a home and a vacation campground on New Zealand’s North Island following days of record-breaking rain, as emergency crews raced to rescue individuals trapped.
Police mentioned the primary landslide hit a home in Welcome Bay at about 4.50am on Thursday (3.50pm GMT on Wednesday). Two individuals escaped, however the our bodies of two others trapped inside had been later recovered, emergency administration minister Mark Mitchell mentioned.
Hours later, a second landslide hit Beachside Holiday Park, on the base of Mount Maunganui, crushing autos, campervans and an facilities block. Police mentioned the variety of individuals unaccounted for there was within the “single figures”, with sniffer canines deployed to go looking the rubble.
“There was a shower block … and there were people using that at the time the slide came through,” Mitchell informed Australian Broadcasting Corp.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand mentioned early searches detected voices from beneath the particles however crews had been later compelled to withdraw due to unstable floor.
Further north, a person stays lacking after being swept away by floodwaters close to Warkworth on Wednesday.
Mapped: New Zealand’s East Coast hit by landslides
Harriette Boucher22 January 2026 09:49
Watch: Several lacking after New Zealand landslide rips by means of in style campsite
Harriette Boucher22 January 2026 09:32
New Zealand’s east coast a ‘conflict zone’, says emergency minister
New Zealand’s emergency minister Mark Mitchell has likened the nation’s east coast to a “warzone” because the harm from the flooding involves mild.
In a submit on X on Thursday morning, Mr Mitchell mentioned: “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 ‘extraordinarily troublesome’ days to comply with
New Zealand’s Professional Firefighters Union (NZPFU) has cancelled its strike deliberate for Friday, stating that the next days will likely be “extremely difficult for many families and communities”.
NZPFU nationwide secretary Wattie Watson mentioned: “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 factor ever,’ says Australian vacationer who witnessed the landslide
Australian vacationer Sonny Worrall mentioned he was stress-free in a scorching pool inside the campground when he heard after which noticed the landslide.
“I looked behind me and there’s a huge landslide coming down. And I’m still shaking from it now,” Mr Worrall informed New Zealand’s 1News information service.
“I turned around and I had to jump out from my seat as fast as I could and just run.”
Mr Worrall mentioned he seemed again to see the rubble carrying a journey trailer behind him.
“It was like the scariest thing I’ve ever experienced in my life,” he mentioned.
Stuti Mishra22 January 2026 09:00
‘Doing all the pieces we are able to,’ says NZ PM
New Zealand prime minister Christopher Luxon urged residents in affected areas to heed native authorities’ security recommendation through the excessive situations.
“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
Voices heard from rubble after landslide
Fire and Emergency New Zealand commander William Pike mentioned there have been some indicators of life instantly after the Mount Maunganui slide.
“Members of the public… tried to get into the rubble and did hear some voices,” Mr Pike informed reporters.
“Our initial fire crew arrived and… were able to hear the same.
“Shortly after our preliminary crew arrived, we withdrew everybody from the location on account of potential motion and slip.”
Mayor Mahe Drysdale said those unaccounted for earlier had included people who had left the campground without notifying authorities.
The campground was closed after the disaster.
Stuti Mishra22 January 2026 08:41
Photos: Aerial view of space affected by landslide
Stuti Mishra22 January 2026 08:41
Number of people missing in ‘single figures
‘Police Superintendent Tim Anderson said the number of people missing was in the “single figures”.
No survivors or bodies had been recovered by late evening from the Mount Maunganui rubble, where dogs were being used to search for victims, Mr Mitchell said.
Earlier, north near Warkworth, a man remained missing after floodwaters swept him from a road on Wednesday morning as heavy rain lashed large swathes of the North Island, a police statement said.
Stuti Mishra22 January 2026 08:38
At least two killed in landslides in New Zealand
At least two people were killed when landslides hit a house and campground in New Zealand, while emergency crews were trying to rescue others buried in rubble, officials said.
The first hit a house in the community of Welcome Bay on New Zealand’s North Island at 4.50am, police said.
Two people escaped the house, and the bodies of two who were trapped inside were recovered hours later, emergency management minister Mark Mitchell said.
Later the same morning, emergency services were called to a second slide at the base of nearby Mount Maunganui.
The rubble hit Beachside Holiday Park in a town named after the extinct volcano.
Stuti Mishra22 January 2026 08:26
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/new-zealand-floods-mount-maunganui-landslide-latest-updates-b2905363.html