Search and rescue crews have continued working through the night at the Mt Maunganui campground following a landslide that trapped a number of people.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) northern shift manager Josh Pennefather confirmed to legacy media operations were carried out in rotating shifts.
Emergency services, including Police, FENZ, St John and security personnel, remained on site overnight, while families of those missing waited nearby for updates.
A reporter at the scene said three excavators were operating under floodlights until late evening, before crews appeared to switch to hand tools after 1.30am.
Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said yesterday the operation remained in the rescue phase, with multiple diggers deployed and all agencies continuing efforts at the scene, and an update from the on-site commander is expected after 9am this morning.
Wonder if this had anything to do with all the big trees tauranga city council have just removed from this area
They still dont know how many are missing?