The recovery operation at Mount Maunganui is now entering into its second week. Photo / NZ Police
The recovery operation at Mount Maunganui is now entering its second week after the deadly landslide at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.
So far, three of the six people police believe to be missing have been formally identified.
Morrinsville woman Lisa Anne Maclennan was formally identified at a Coroner’s Court hearing in Tauranga today.
Max Furse-Kee, who would have turned 16 yesterday, and Mans Loke Bernhardsson, a 20-year-old Swedish tourist, were identified at separate Coroner’s Court hearings yesterday.
Police believe Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, and Sharon Maccanico, 15, were also caught up in the landslide and have yet to be formally identified.
The family of Austen Keith Richardson, 10, and Yao Fang, 71, were preparing to farewell the pair after they died in a slip in Welcome Bay on the same day as the Mount landslide.
Speaking about the recovery operations at the Mount, Bay of Plenty Police District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said recovery teams working at Mount Maunganui have made good progress in recent days, but there’s still a lot of work to do.
“Due to the nature of the work being undertaken, we do not have a timeline on when work will be complete,” Anderson said today.
“We are here for those grieving and for the families that have lost loved ones in this tragedy. The teams on scene are doing a great job at looking after each other, and we all want to reunite families with their loved ones.”
As this operation reaches week two, Anderson said it gave a great indication of the sheer scale of what the recovery team is working with.
He said police continue to call on staff from out of the district.
Since the landslide on Thursday, January 22, police have utilised hundreds of specialised staff across a number of workgroups, police said.
“Over the course of the last week, police staff from several districts have come into the region to assist with the recovery operation, as well as relieve some of our staff who have worked incredibly hard,” Anderson said.
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Specialist technology remains in place
Technology that was sent up from Wellington on Sunday remains in place, and Anderson said it has been a “great contributor to the safety of staff working at the scene”.
“It was imperative that this technology was brought up and installed, and we have already seen success in its purpose, when staff were alerted to an issue with excess water within the scene on Thursday, January 29, suspending search efforts temporarily.
“While there is no way for us to control a natural hazard, the technology has greatly assisted our recovery teams by providing another safety method for those who are working meticulously to bring people back to their loved ones.”
Affected business
Businesses affected by cordons near Mauao have largely reopened, fences are coming down at Mount Drury, and the Fisher concert at Bay Oval is scheduled to go ahead with more than 20,000 attendees expected.
The cordon has been scaled back to allow Marine Parade businesses to open, with pedestrian access only from Commons Ave to Adams Ave. Residents must apply for a resident access permit to access the area with a vehicle.
He Maimai Aroha Community Care Centre at 249 Maunganui Rd, formerly Bay Cinemas, remains open daily from 9am to 9pm, providing a quiet and respectful space for the community to gather, reflect, and honour those who lost their lives.
The reserve and playground have reopened for public use after being closed as a precaution following the landslides.
The area was fenced off while conditions were monitored.
Tauranga City Council said in a statement that Mount Drury could be used as a safe location in the event of a tsunami, along with Blake Park.
Mauao could not be used as a safe zone because of the landslide.
The council said an earthquake was the first warning that a tsunami might be on the way, and if a long or strong earthquake hit, people were advised not to wait for official warnings to evacuate.
More information about tsunami evacuations can be found at the Tauranga City Council and Bay of Plenty Civil Defence websites.
Australian DJ Fisher will headline the first live music event hosted at Bay Oval, with more than 20,000 attendees expected.
Toby Burrows, from promoter group Trademark Live, said the tragedy at Mauao and across the Western Bay had deeply affected Mount Maunganui and the wider community.
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“It’s difficult to put into words the pain our Tauranga community is feeling following the tragic events of last week. Mauao is the beating heart of Mount Maunganui, and it will never be the same," Burrows said.
“Our hearts go out to all of the families and friends who have lost their loved ones in both the Pāpāmoa and Mount Maunganui landslides.”
Trademark Live has launched a fundraising effort, and 100% of donations will go directly to affected families.
The council has warned concert attendees that there will be no event parking at Bay Oval or in the vicinity of the venue, and advised concert-goers to travel by bus, carpool or walk from nearby accommodation.
In port today is the Viking Sky, which is scheduled to leave at 4pm.
Tomorrow, the Noordam will arrive at 6.30am and depart at 6.15pm, and the ship will return on Monday.
Tuesday will see the Celebrity Edge, Wednesday the Discovery Princess will arrive, and Thursday the Seven Seas Navigator.
On Friday, Waitangi Day, Viking Venus will be in port, and the Crown Princess and Carnival Splendor will arrive on Saturday morning.
Bettie Monroe co-founder Lucy Thomas is selling fundraiser T-shirts designed by local artist Tayla Williams for $79.
The design features six trees and three birds to represent the souls lost, and a rising sun for remembrance.
Thomas said 100% of the profits would go directly to support the families of the landslide victims. Orders will close on Sunday.
A bumper sticker is also available for $19. Contact nzbettiemonroe@gmail.com for more information.
An estimated 1000 people gathered at Coronation Park in Tauranga on Thursday evening to remember the victims of the deadly landslides one week on.
Among the mourners were family members of those who died, accompanied into the park by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.
The ceremony at Coronation Park began at 7pm with a mihi, followed by waiata performances by students of Te Wharekura o Mauao School Group.
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale told the crowd of mourners: “One week ago, tragedy struck our city and changed our lives forever.
“We stand here in solidarity with the families who devastatingly lost their loved ones.
“We feel your grief deeply and hold you in our thoughts, our hearts and our prayers.”
Drysdale thanked the community for coming together to support workers and families.
Luxon described the victims as “people just like us”.
“Grandmothers, mothers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters,” he said.
And he thanked the crowd for showing that in New Zealand, “we face hard moments together and stand with each other in difficult times”.
“I want to say to the families, although it doesn’t ease your pain, your grief or suffering, New Zealand is with you. We grieve with you, and every one of us stands with you.”
Gallagher Chiefs v Fijian Drua
Friday, at Blake Park.
Kick off at 3pm.
A moment of silence will be observed.
International Buskers Day Out
Saturday, at Masonic Park and Red Square in the Tauranga city centre.
From 11am to 5 pm.
Billabong Grom Series
Saturday and Sunday at Tay St Beach.
From 8am to 5pm.
This part of the coast is not affected by the rāhui.