Morning Headlines | Wellington mayor issues warning over beaches and Christopher Luxon positive ahead of pōwhiri | Thursday, February 5, 2026
Cordons surrounding the Mount Maunganui campsite where six people were killed by a landslide will lift tomorrow morning, but Mauao remains closed for the foreseeable future.
Part of the cordon around the site was supposed to be lifted earlier today, while Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said he felt the areais unlikely to remain a campsite in the future.
Police officially stood down all recovery operations on February 1 after all six victims of the January 22 landslide had been formally identified.
Tauranga City Council announced The Mall, Maunganui Rd, Marine Parade and Adams Ave will be open to vehicles and pedestrians from 8am on Friday, February 6.
Shipping containers have been placed beside the footpath along Adams Ave to stop any potential debris movement, while two boulders posing a risk on the north side of the slip were removed this afternoon.
Permanent fencing has also been installed to keep people out of the affected area because the site is still hazardous and the public has been warned to not enter the area behind it.
Six people died in the January 22 landslide. Photo / Tauranga City Council
A rāhui is still in place for affected areas around Mauao and people are asked to respect it by not entering, swimming, gathering kaimoana, or undertaking recreational activities.
“The impact of this tragic event has been far-reaching,” said Drysdale.
“We have appreciated the understanding from businesses and residents in the cordon while the focus was on supporting the families who will be forever impacted by this tragedy.
“Please support the businesses as they begin to reopen.”
Drysdale reminded the public access to Mauao is still closed as recent monitoring and inspections identified instability.
“There are currently 40 landslips on Mauao, 29 of them are on the base track,” the mayor said.
The road cordon around Mauao will be lifted, but the hill itself remains closed. Image / Tauranga City Council
“Closing Mauao is to reduce the likelihood of injury or harm while further assessments and mitigation work is undertaken.
“Public safety is the primary driver for this closure, and access will remain restricted until experts are confident the risks can be managed to an acceptable level.”
Trigger alarm systems will sound if there are any further landslips and people near the fencing when alarms go off are encouraged to move away from the area as quickly as possible.
Drysdale said any decision about the Mauao closure will be made with the council’s partners and will take into account the community’s aroha for it.
