Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Urban Search and Rescue (USAR) teams continued operations overnight at the Mount Maunganui landslip site, where six people remain unaccounted for following Thursday’s major slip.
According to a state media update, a total of 25 USAR personnel, supported by a further 10 Fire and Emergency staff, are working alongside Police to carefully remove debris, with heavy machinery assisting the search.
A partial slip occurred in the northern sector of the site around 6pm last night, prompting teams to suspend searches in that area for safety reasons while it remains under continuous reassessment.
Further heavy rain is forecast, which may disrupt operations, with specialist advice guiding when crews must withdraw or can safely return. Authorities have established a cordon, banned photos at the site, and urged the public to stay away due to the ongoing risk of further landslides, as the operation is now understood to be focused on recovery rather than rescue.
