Live updates: Second victim formally identified after fatal Mount Maunganui landslide
James Wheeler
Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Mark Mitchell assisting an elderly woman at tonight's vigil.
James Wheeler
James Wheeler
Earlier today, Christopher Luxon touched down in Gisborne for his second visit in a week.
He was accompanied by East Coast MP Dana Kirkpatrick, along with Minister for Housing Chris Bishop and Associate Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Chris Penk.
Speaking to media at the Tairāwhiti Emergency Management Centre in the afternoon, he said the “very successful” trip was intended to get on the ground to understand the issues.
“We’re very struck by the huge challenges in the area and across the roading network,” Luxon said.
Read more from James Pocock below:
James Wheeler
The vigil has ended. Although there are sections of the crowd who have left, plenty are staying behind to sing with Te Wharekura o Mauao.
The families have all just left, PM Christopher Luxon appears to be staying around for a little bit.
The crowd held a moment's silence for those lost
James Wheeler
James Wheeler
A karakia ended the ceremony, and now the singers are performing a final song.
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale reading the names of those lost
James Wheeler
James Wheeler
During the moment of silence, some attendees became more visibly emotional than they had throughout the vigil.
James Wheeler
PM: New Zealand stands with you and grieves with you
James Wheeler
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon started by thanking everyone for coming out this evening, remarking that it had been the third time he had been to the city this week.
"Thank you for supporting people who are hurting and showing people in New Zealand, that we face tragedies together.
"I want to say to the families, New Zealand stands with you and grieves with you."
Luxon said some of those who were lost were far from home.
Luxon said New Zealand was proud of all the contractors and recovery staff for their work.
"People just like us," he said after reading the names of the victims.
"Be strong, be brave, be steadfast."
James Wheeler
PM Christopher Luxon is now speaking.
'One week ago today, tragedy struck our city'
James Wheeler
"Navigating our cities through two tragedies has been a trying task," Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said.
"One week ago today, tragedy struck our city and changed our lives forever.
"We feel your grief deeply and hold you in our hearts, thoughts and prayers.
"This evening we gather to support one another, honour those whose lives were lost.
"Tonight is about processing the events of last week.
"Thank you to the families for your strength. It has been a hard week for everyone and it has been bringing your loved ones home which has brought us together."
James Wheeler
Singers are now performing Whakaaria Mai (How Great Thou Art) in both Maori and English.
Our reporter on the ground, Samuel Sherry, says despite the solemnness of the occasion, groups close to the school singers can be seen swaying, dancing and smiling with each other.
James Wheeler
The vigil is about to begin. The MC asked members of the crowd to put their hands together for the emergency service workers who "had been working all week".
James Wheeler
Photos from the vigil
James Wheeler
A community vigil is underway in Tauranga one week after the tragic landslip. Around 1000 have turned out. These are from our photographer Hayden Woodward:
James Wheeler
Everyone who can stand at the vigil is currently standing and showing respect for those who have just arrived, including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
James Wheeler
The numbers have started to increase at the vigil, but our reporter Samuel Sherry says the mood remains mellow.
Performances will be taking place before the ceremony starts.
'It's just so, so very tragic'
James Wheeler
Sandy Scarrow, who is attending the vigil, said:
"It's just so incredibly sad, and I feel like there's been this pall of sadness over the community for some time. Sad for Mauao and sad for those people who have lost their lives. It's just so, so very tragic."
Speaking about the Mount, Scarrow said she often walks up the Mount at around the time the landslide happened.
"I walk up it every Thursday morning. I would have been walking up it, and I would have been almost on the path where that slide went down at 9.30am last Thursday. I'm there a lot, and I love it. It's really important to us."
James Wheeler
James Wheeler
Statement on behalf of Nils and Anders, dad and uncle of victim Måns Loke Bernhardsson
James Wheeler
Måns was a super kind and loveable member of our family.
Back home in Sweden, he had many friends and was loved by all those friends and family very deeply.
He was a fantastic artist and was extremely talented. Måns was artistic, which was one of the many things we loved about him.
He was incredibly athletic and loved downhill skiing and gymnastics.
Måns was on holiday in New Zealand on what was a “hastily” booked trip with two of his friends.
Him and his friends were adventuring around in their campervan, travelling both the North and South Islands.
He loved New Zealand, and often told us that he would like to stay here as long as possible.
Our hearts are broken, and we are going to miss Måns dearly. He was a cherished member of our family and it is going to be difficult to get used to not having him around.
We have received overwhelming support from community, officials, local iwi, and people back home. We are very grateful for their support through this difficult time and we want to express our gratitude.
James Wheeler
Our reporter on the ground Samuel Sherry says people have already set up in the shade for this evening's vigil, which is set to start at 7pm.
The community vigil is taking place at Coronation Park to honour those affected by the deadly slips in the region.
The Herald will have a livestream of the vigil at the top of this story.
Second victim formally identified by coroner
James Wheeler
The coroner has formally identified remains belonging to Måns Loke Bernhardsson, a 20-year-old Swedish tourist, who was caught in the Mount Maunganui landslide.
He was to turn 21 on February 22.
It’s been more than a week since the large landslide which claimed the lives of six people who were in the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.
The slip happened around 9.30am on Thursday, January 22, taking with it tents, caravans and structures.
Six people were unaccounted for, despite rescue efforts, the operation became focused on recovering the bodies of those missing.
Tonight, the second identification hearing, held before Coroner Louella Dunn, took place in the Tauranga District Court.
This type of proceeding is not an inquest, instead focusing solely on formal identification.
Coroner Dunn said she was satisfied that the body, given the Disaster Victim Identification number 4162, recovered on January 24, was that of Bernhardsson.
The evidence presented included forensic odontology examination of dental records, and the body located. This was the primary form of identification.
CCTV footage of Bernhardsson, standing near his van, before the landslide also provided images of what he was wearing, which was confirmed by a friend.
His clothing and personal effects, which included grey trackpants and woven bracelets, were considered secondary identifiers.
The hearing also included identification of remains, which when recovered had been given a different identification number, and had familial match with DNA provided by Bernhardsson’s father.
Coroner Dunn said Bernhardsson was a “20-year-old tourist, enjoying this country, and he has tragically died. I’m sure all of us in this courtroom and in this country offer our sincere condolences to his family for their tragic loss”.
James Wheeler
Family displaced by landslide 'lucky' to find new home
James Wheeler
A Pāpāmoa family displaced by a deadly landslide will move into their new rental today and say they are "lucky" to have found another place to call home.
Becks Smith and her children, Meihana Orupe, 16, and Aaliyah Orupe, 13, were evacuated from their rental property on January 22 after a large slip hit neighbouring homes on Welcome Bay Rd, narrowly missing Smith’s bedroom.
Smith lived near the property where Yao Fang, 71, and her grandson Austen Keith Richardson, 10, were killed in a landslide.
Read more from the Bay of Plenty Times' Megan Wilson below:
Pilot Bay vigil remembers landslide victims one week on
James Wheeler
Silence fell over Pilot Bay this morning as members of the community honoured the lives claimed by the Mauao and Welcome Bay landslides.
About 100 people gathered at the Pilot Bay vigil, organised by Tanya Golaboski.
Golaboski told the Bay of Plenty Times she wanted the community to come together and show the families of the victims, “we are all here for them”.
Read more on the vigil below:
Hauraki State of Emergency lifted
James Wheeler
The Hauraki District's state of emergency has been lifted following last week’s severe weather event, with all major roads now reopened and essential services restored.
The weather event brought heavy rain and flooding, closing five local roads, seven bridges and sections of State Highway 2 through the Karangahake Gorge.
What's been restored:
- All council roads and bridges now open (Woodlands Rd open to milk tankers, but no trailers, while repairs continue).
- Water treatment plants operating normally.
- State Highway 2 through Karangahake Gorge reopened (one lane in places).
- State Highway 25 between Waihī and Whiritoa open with slip repairs now completed.
- Gilmour Lake Reserve reopened, with some repair work continuing over coming days.
What's still closed:
- Hauraki Rail Trail Section C including tunnel and bridges between Waitāwheta Rd and Waihī.
Mayor Toby Adams said the focus now turns to supporting affected residents and businesses.
"Our communities have come through a significant weather event, and I'm grateful for how people looked after each other. We’re now focusing on recovery – repairing damage and supporting those who've been affected. The Mayoral Relief Fund will be there for residents and businesses who need help."
Council teams have checked 121 properties during the event. Building inspectors have assessed damaged homes, with one property red-stickered (unsafe, no access), six yellow-stickered (restricted access) and four white-stickered (safe to occupy).
Letters explaining these classifications are being sent to affected residents. Local recovery manager Peter Thom said teams are now repairing 35 roads damaged during the event and working with affected households.
"Our teams are assessing what's needed across the district and supporting residents who've been impacted. The priority is helping our communities get back to normal."
Recovery operation at Mount Maunganui resumes
James Wheeler
The recovery operation at Mount Maunganui has resumed, several hours after being suspended this morning.
Detective Inspector Lew Warner said work restarted officially at 2pm, after the team received confirmation from experts that the area was safe to enter and resume operations.
"Following consultation with a number of experts on the ground, the recovery teams have been given the green light to continue with the recovery.
"While the suspension of work is frustrating for everybody involved, the correct measures must be taken to ensure the safety of everybody at the scene.
"I want to reiterate that it is absolutely necessary that we do everything in our power to keep the recovery team safe.
"These people have been working tirelessly in a range of testing conditions across the last week, to bring families their loved ones back."
Work continues near the ablution block
The recovery team, involving police, Fire and Emergency New Zealand's urban search and rescue team and contract drivers are continuing to focus on the area where the ablution block was.
"This is meticulous work which we have to conduct extremely carefully. Teams will continue to work delicately through the area of interest, and we expect this to take some time," Warner said.
Police are not yet in a position to comment on what has been located to date, however, they expect the recovery to continue in the coming days.
One week since the landslide
Today marks one week since the landslide.
"The Mount Maunganui community is an extremely tight-knit community, and ever since this devastating event, they have come together and offered any assistance they can for the families, the emergency workers, and everybody impacted," Warner said.
"We would also like to acknowledge the many staff assisting with the recovery. Not just the recovery team, but our family liaison officers and other specialist staff across the board."
Police continue to seek imagery of mountain prior to slip
Police are asking anyone with video footage and images of the slip at Mount Maunganui to upload it via this online portal.
Detective Inspector Lew Warner said police are particularly interested in any footage or images of the campsite and Mount Maunganui between Wednesday night right through to the time the slip happened and the immediate time after the slip.
"We have already received more than 100 video clips and photos through the portal and we want to thank those who have taken the time to send this in," he said.
Māori in the Moana 2026 event cancelled
James Wheeler
In light of recent events, organisers have made the decision to cancel the event Māori in the Moana for 2026.
Māori in the Moana is focused on connection, culture, hauora, whānau wellbeing and bringing the community together.
“At this time, it feels important to pause, to acknowledge the heaviness many are carrying, and to create space for manaaki and reflection,” organisers said.
“We are deeply grateful to everyone who has supported, planned for, and committed their time to volunteer and contribute to creating a safe space for our whānau. We look forward to returning in 2027, with renewed intention and care. Ngā manaakitanga nui.”
Luxon says KFC drop a 'morale booster' for recovery crews
James Wheeler
Christopher Luxon confirmed the Government brought in KFC for those working on the recovery efforts.
“It’s very much just recognising it’s a morale booster.
“We’ve got incredible recovery workers up there, we’ve got amazing folk that have been going at it now for 12 days solid without breaks,” Luxon said.
He said they had brought in medical supplies, alongside other supplies as well.
“It [the KFC] was just a little treat for everybody to say thank you so much for what you’re doing. We appreciate you. We haven’t forgotten you. We care about you. We love you heaps,” Luxon said.
PM defends Winston Peters at Joseph Parker fights abroad
James Wheeler
When asked if Winston Peters attending Joseph Parker fights was appropriate during his foreign trips, Christopher Luxon said he did not have a problem with the trip.
"I'm not sure that's what he has done. He just happens to be supportive of any New Zealander abroad when he’s overseas ... actually supporting someone, a Kiwi doing well on the world stage in the location he happens to be at doing his foreign affairs trips, so be it," Luxon said.
'Much bigger and deeper': PM on scale of damage and long road to recovery
James Wheeler
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said it has been very good to get on the ground and actually understand the issues.
"There's been very good coordination between local government, central Government, our agency agencies, iwi have been outstanding across the country," he said.
"The real feature of this disaster has been that it has hit small, isolated, localised communities. It has been massive and deep, and in some ways what we’ve seen has been much bigger and deeper than what we’ve experienced through Gabrielle in those particular communities," he said.
Luxon said it will be five to six months of work just moving that sheer amount of soil, 500,000cu m of it.
Transport Minister Chris Bishop said NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) is working hard to get the gorge reopened to at least one lane each way.
"State Highway 35 is going to be very tricky. A lot of dirt to move," Bishop said.
"NZTA are working incredibly hard over the next two weeks to at least get one lane open through that piece," Luxon said.
"What we have done is make sure we build resilience into the bloodstream of what we do, building out our roading programme across the whole country, not just here. We know we've got some particular difficult and gnarly engineering challenges."
He said the Government is very conscious of the fact that Gisborne traffic is now having to be routed through Napier In order to go north.
"I said on Monday, we've got funds available to us. Funds are released to give help immediately to communities and iwi up and down the country, particularly in the impacted areas," the Prime Minister said.
"We know there are real feats of engineering that we're going to have to deal with. They're going to be very difficult to attack and challenge. We know we'll have to have some short-term solutions for that, but we'll work our way through that together as a joint team."
"We've got amazing folk that have been going at it now for 12 days solid without breaks."
PM set to give update from East Cape
James Wheeler
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will shortly hold a media briefing in Gisborne alongside Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Minister for Emergency Management and Recovery Chris Penk.
We will have that live for you when it begins.
11-year-old’s flax tributes
James Wheeler
Luca Collier, 11, has been teaching people how to make flax crosses to pay tribute to the landslide victims.
The former Pillans Point School student and soon-to-be Ōtūmoetai Intermediate student has been visiting He Maimai Aroha Community Care Centre, based at the old Mount Maunganui movie theatre, and taking people through the steps for weaving a cross.
"I really like the community down here, it's really cool," Luca said.
Luca and his family visited the care centre last week and he recognised weaver Kalena Egan (Ngāti Pukenga, Ngāi Te Rangi, Ngāti Ranginui).
"And then I said to her, 'oh, hey, do you wanna learn how to make a flax cross? I can teach you'.
"So then she agreed, and I sat down with her, taught her, made a couple together."
He returned on Thursday morning to teach more people arriving at the centre.
Tauranga Mayor shares details of tonight's vigil
Vera Alves
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said tonight's vigil will be an opportunity for his community to come and grieve together a week on from the deadly landslide.
"Today marks a week since the tragic events that claimed eight lives in our sub-region.
"The community is grieving and hurting, and the families have felt massive support from the community.
"We wanted to give an opportunity for everyone to come together, to be, and to share experience and stand in solidarity with the families, as well as thank all the emergency services and volunteers that have been working tirelessly to bring the loved ones back to their families."
Emergency payments following North Island storms
Vera Alves
Civil Defence payments will be available for people affected by the severe weather in specific areas of Northland, Bay of Plenty and East Coast to help cover some emergency costs, Social Development and Employment Minister Louise Upston has announced.
"We want to make sure those communities that are doing it tough because of the latest severe weather event have as much support as possible," Upston said.
"By the end of today, if you're based in Rāwhiti, Ngaiotonga, Bland Bay (Whangaruru North), Punaruku, Ōakura (Whangaruru South), Mōkau, Helena Bay, Mimiwhangata, Whananaki, Waioweka Gorge, Hicks Bay, Te Araroa and have been impacted by the recent severe weather event, you may be able to get help to pay for food, bedding, clothing, accommodation or loss of livelihood.
"You don’t have to be on a benefit to qualify for a Civil Defence payment, and non-residents in these areas may be eligible.
"Anyone wanting to apply is encouraged to talk to someone from their local welfare team at a Civil Defence centre, or phone MSD's [the Ministry of Social Development] general inquiries team on 0800 559 009. Work and Income service centres are open and continue to operate as normal.
"MSD regional teams continue to actively engage with Regional Public Service networks and Civil Defence emergency management as welfare assessments are undertaken and will continue to assess the need for Civil Defence payments in other impacted areas.
"We'll continue to support communities affected by this event," the minister added.
Coromandel storm recovery: Red‑stickered homes, roads still at risk
Vera Alves
Weather-impacted communities around the country, including the Coromandel and Hauraki districts, are picking up the pieces after last week's storm and torrential rain.
Te Araroa grandmother describes harrowing escape from wall of floodwaters
Vera Alves
A grandmother who fled rising floodwaters with her moko (grandchildren) is overwhelmed by the scale of destruction in her East Coast community.
"I've probably walked around in circles a thousand times," Philippa Wright told RNZ from her Te Araroa home, "not really knowing where to begin."
As a digger shifted mud and logs on the property, Wright said she, her 10-year-old grandson and her husband were "extremely lucky" to survive the storm that laid waste to the township last week.
Recovery operation suspended in Mount Maunganui
Vera Alves
Recovery efforts at Mount Maunganui have been temporarily suspended.
Just after 10.30am, technology installed to monitor any movement of the land was triggered, and all work was suspended.
Detective Inspector Lew Warner said the safety of staff working at the site is a priority.
"The systems installed are designed to trigger [on] any potential land movements and excess water within the scene."
Geotechnical experts will conduct an examination of the scene before work will be cleared to continue, Warner said.
"All staff working at the scene have been withdrawn, pending further assessments."
Vera Alves
Mayoral Relief Fund opens to support Western Bay residents impacted by severe weather
Vera Alves
Western Bay of Plenty District Council says it has established a Mayoral Relief Fund to support communities affected by last week’s severe weather event.
The fund begins with an initial $100,000 contribution from the Government and is designed to support households and small businesses during a period where many are navigating disruption, insurance processes and safety concerns linked to the storm.
The $100,000 comes from the Government's $1.2 million storm recovery support, announced for the six councils most affected by last week's event.
Each council has received $100,000, with the remaining $600,000 available through an application process.
Western Bay Mayor James Denyer said the fund came at a time when many in the community were still dealing with the emotional and practical impacts of the event.
"The Mayoral Relief Fund gives us a way to provide practical, compassionate support for people who need immediate help while our wider recovery continues to take shape."
He says many households and small businesses are facing unexpected costs – temporary accommodation, essential items, or urgent work needed to safely access their properties – and the fund provides a pathway for support when no other help is immediately available.
Donations are also welcomed using the council's dedicated bank account:
01-0434-0180600-000
Particulars: name of the donor
Reference: donation
What the fund can support
- Temporary accommodation or emergency living costs
- Essential household items that are uninsured or immediately needed
- Urgent work to restore safe access to a property
- Welfare‑related needs caused by displacement or safety concerns
What the fund cannot support
- Damage covered by insurance or the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake (formerly the EQC)
- Income‑related losses
- General maintenance unrelated to the event
- Large‑scale or long‑term property repairs
How to apply
Applications are open now and close Sunday February 15. Residents can apply via:
– www.westernbay.govt.nz/mayoral-relief-fund
– mayoral.relief@westernbay.govt.nz
– Pick up and fill out an application form at one of the council’s five library and service centres
Applicants will need to provide:
- Proof of address
- Brief description of impact
- Evidence of the essential need or cost
- Confirmation of any other support or insurance in progress
'You loved me like a son': Friend posts tribute to landslide victim
Vera Alves
Watch: Vigil held at Pilot Bay for victims of Mount Maunganui landslide
Vera Alves
Vera Alves
The service has ended and those in attendance have been invited to stay and share stories with each other.
Vera Alves
The vigil is now closing with karakia.
Vera Alves
The crowd gathered at the vigil in Pilot Bay faced the Mount as How Great Thou Art played, after a minute's silence was held.
Vera Alves
One woman speaking to the crowd said she grew up in Auckland but always comes down to the Mount.
She said she had been in a similar situation at Muriwai and recent events have brought back these memories.
"The Mount talks to me and it always will."
Vigils are important part of community grieving, MP says
Vera Alves
Tauranga MP Sam Uffindell says having vigils is very important for the grieving community.
Speaking ahead of the Pilot Bay vigil he said it has been an "incredibly difficult" week.
"You can never imagine how hard it must be for the family members who have had probably the worst week of their lives and yeah, I just hope that we can get those missing people back to them as soon as possible."
The vigils today will help the community show their support, he told the Herald.
"They all want to help as much as they can. There's only so much they can do, but with these vigils and the memorials that have been set up give the community an opportunity to come down and show their love and their respect and their condolences."
Vera Alves
One man shared his memories of Mauao. He recalled camping at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park during his youth, when cows roamed the campground freely.
Vera Alves
Organiser Tanya Golaboski has thanked everyone for coming along and invited anyone with stories about Mauao to share with the crowd.
Vera Alves
How Great Thou Art has started playing, with most in attendance singing along and many visibly emotional looking at the Mount.
Vera Alves
Diggers continued working at the scene while the community gathered to commemorate the lives lost.
'There's been a shift': Tragedy has brought Mount community together
Vera Alves
A Pilot Bay vigil attendee says the Mount Maunganui community is acknowledging each other like never before in the wake of the devastating landslips.
Kaye Mullins told the Herald the want to support the locals and honour those who lost their lives brought her to the vigil.
She said walking around this week she's noticed people greeting each other more than usual.
"Psychologically what has happened to us all, there's been a shift."
Vera Alves
Everybody bowed their heads for the minute of silence, standing shoulder-to-shoulder.
The crowd has united in song while looking at Mauao.
Vera Alves
A minute's silence has just began, almost exactly one week since the landslide happened.
Vera Alves
MP for Tauranga Sam Uffindell is at the community vigil.
Vera Alves
Around 100 people are currently at the vigil, which began with a karakia and has now moved on to the story of Mauao.
Vigil about to start in Pilot Bay
Vera Alves
Morning Update: The latest from Mount Maunganui
Vera Alves
Community vigil at Pilot Bay about to begin
Vera Alves
The organiser of the Pilot Bay vigil says she wants the families of the landslide victims to know the community is supporting them.
Tanya Golaboski told the Herald at 9.20am a story of how Mauao came to be will be told.
The vigil will then move to a karakia.
The song Whakaaria Mai will follow in both Māori and English.
"I just want the community to come together and show the families that have lost their people that we're all here for them, to show their support and love," Golaboski said.
Rugby club pays tribute to 'much-loved teammate' Max Furse-Kee
Vera Alves
Northland weather bomb: Red stickers and an extended state of emergency
Vera Alves
Residents return home as Baypark evacuation lifted
Vera Alves
Vera Alves
'Lasting legacy':
Vera Alves
Campground evacuated and safety barrier moved in by council in 2003 for rockfall works
Vera Alves
Tauranga council officials previously evacuated the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park and neighbouring hot pools to keep the public safe from falling rocks.
Read the Herald Premium story in full below.
Mount Maunganui landslide: Cafes reopen after losing thousands
Vera Alves
A business within the Mount Maunganui landslide cordon says it has lost up to $60,000 while closed for the past week.
NZ’s sodden January explained: What’s driven this month’s big wet? – James Renwick
Vera Alves
For many people, it has felt like midsummer never really arrived. Is it simply bad luck, or is there something more going on?
Community gathers to remember victims one week on
Vera Alves
One week on from the devastating landslides that killed eight people, Kiwis are set to come together to remember those tragically lost.
Vigils planned commemorating week after Tauranga landslides
David Williams
Community vigils are planned in Mount Maunganui this evening to honour those affected by the deadly slips in the region, one week on.
The vigils will be a chance for the community to honour and pay respects to the families of Mauao landslide victims Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, Sharon Maccanico, 15, and Max Furse-Kee, 15, and Welcome Bay Rd slip victims Austen Keith Richardson, 10, and Yao Fang, 71.
A vigil at Coronation Park starts at 7pm, with a karakia at 8pm.
The recovery operation at the Mount Maunganui landslide continues, with police warning it could take days or even weeks.
'Millimetres at a time': Recovery efforts continue at slow pace
David Williams
Acting Bay of Plenty District Commander Inspector Will Loughrin said recovery teams were making good progress but still have days of work ahead of them.
"Police, supported by Urban Search and Rescue and contractor drivers, have reached the area where the ablution block was, and they are continuing the painstaking effort to gently dig through the slip," he said.
"The reason the work is so time-consuming is because we are digging millimetres at a time. We can't rush this work, and we won’t rush it."
Baypark residents return home after slip near reservoir
David Williams
The majority of residents were allowed to return home last night following an evacuation in an area of Pāpāmoa.
The evacuation came after a fresh slip near a reservoir watermain pipe threatened homes and lives.
"After last week's heavy rainfall, a slip has occurred near a watermain pipe to the reservoir above the marae, which has the potential to break, should the land subside further," Tauranga City Council said.
At about 8.30pm yesterday, the majority of residents were able to return home after the watermain pipe to the reservoir above Mangatawa Marae and papakāinga housing was shut down.
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