Update: A previous version of this story incorrectly said the two missing people had been rescued and taken to hospital.
Two people are dead after a slip in Welcome Bay, Tauranga badly damaged a house.
Emergency services were called to the incident at about 4.15am. Two people were unaccounted for, and another person was seriously injured.
“Both people are sadly deceased,” police confirmed this evening.
“Police are working to support their loved ones at this incredibly difficult time and the deaths have been referred to the Coroner.”
A number of houses in the area were evacuated during the early morning landslide.
Hato Hone St John was notified at 4.10am and sent three ambulances and an operations manager.
“Our ambulance crews treated two patients in a moderate condition and assessed three people in a minor condition at the scene.”
“Our ambulance staff were not required to transport anyone. It’s possible the two patients we treated may have self-transported.”
Earlier, at 3.50am, assistance was sought from the New Zealand Defence Force after people were reported to be stuck in a vehicle in fast-flowing water on Waitao Rd, Welcome Bay, police said in a statement.
“Police are asking people in Western Bay of Plenty to avoid all unnecessary travel, as a number of roads in the area have been impacted by the weather overnight.”
Fire and Emergency New Zealand, including the swift water rescue team, is still assisting police with evacuations in Welcome Bay Rd in Pāpāmoa, northern shift manager Paul Radden said just before 8am.
Several properties had also been cleared in Bellevue, Tauranga after a landslide went into a property, leaving it unstable.
That house and several surrounding houses have been evacuated as a result, he said, and crews on the ground had been getting advice from the fire service’s Urban Search and Rescue geotechnical engineer.
Western Bay of Plenty District Mayor James Denyer said 80 people were evacuated across the district overnight, 73 from the Waihī campground.
“I think in Waihī Beach, 31 people were billeted by local families, so that’s really heartening to see that we’ve looked after our own and our local community stepped up.”
He said Katikati had been cut off for a period overnight, but people were able to get through the township now.
There remained a big slip in Apata, with “detours in place through local roads”.
“Obviously take care on those local roads, they’re not state highways and they’re not used to that amount of traffic.”
In Welcome Bay, there had been a slip overnight which had damaged a house.
“There’s there was flooding and the New Zealand Defence Force unimog, which was rescuing people and got in trouble itself.”
Floodwaters had risen and it became stranded.
Denyer said his focus was the Welcome Bay house slip and “the safety and welfare of those people and others who’ve had to evacuate as well”.
The council was finding out where the slips and issues were, and helping to clear those.
He said they had a visit from the Minister of Civil Defence Mark Mitchell this morning.
“Look after each other and check your neighbour is okay,” Denyer said.
“There will be a lot of slips and trees down that we won’t necessarily be aware of on private property ... if you’ve got concerns for anyone, reach out.”
Mauao/Mount Maunganui is fully closed to the public until further notice due to large slips that have made the area unsafe, Tauranga City Council said in a statement.
“Recent severe weather has significantly destabilised the maunga, creating an ongoing risk of further slips and falling debris.
“Due to the heightened risk to public safety, all tracks, access points, and surrounding areas of Mauao are closed while the considerable damage is assessed.”
The council said fencing was being installed and secured at key entry points, with signage and barriers in place at all closure points to prevent public access.
Security would also be present to monitor the closure and ensure public safety.
“The closure would remain in place while conditions continue to be monitored, and any necessary remediation work is undertaken.
“The public was strongly advised not to enter Mauao or attempt to bypass fencing or barriers.”
In addition to the closure of Mauao, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) has also closed the SH2 Eastern Link due to surface flooding.
All lanes between the Sandhurst Interchange and Domain Road Interchange were currently closed.
“All westbound and eastbound traffic is being diverted through Pāpāmoa, which is causing significant traffic congestion,” the council said.
“People were advised to follow all detours and, if possible, delay travel. Those in the area are encouraged to refrain from non‑essential travel."
A number of roads are closed in Tauranga due to weather related incidents.
NZME has had reports that Welcome Bay Rd is closed from Waitao Rd to Te Puke Highway following reports of a slip.
A Tauranga resident, who didn’t want to be named said all houses nearby have been evacuated.
“On SH2 from Sandhurst to Domain the road is impassable and people should avoid it.”
An NZTA alert said the road is closed.
Diversions are: Northbound – exit the motorway on to Domain Rd, then turn left on to Pāpāmoa Beach Rd, then continue straight on to Maranui St, then turn left on to Girven Rd, then rejoin SH2 at the Bayfair Roundabout. Southbound – follow in reverse.
SH2 is closed between Pollen St and East Bank Rd, near Matata, due to flooding.
There are also reports that there is a large slip on SH2 near Apata.
NZTA reports that SH2 between Tanners Point and Katikati is closed due to “multiple areas of flooding”.
“Due to a slips, SH2 is closed between Esdaile Rd and Wainui South Rd.” SH2 from Paeroa to Waihī is also closed due to flooding.
SH2 from Katikati to Tauranga was likely to be closed for two days after a large slip.
“Due to a slip, SH2 Whakamarama is closed between Esdaile Rd and Wainui South Rd,” NZTA said in a statement.
“As the ground is still very wet, we anticipate this section of SH2 will be closed for two days.
“A detour is available for light vehicles only: Northbound – turn left on to Esdaile Rd, then turn right on to Wainui South Rd, then turn left on to SH2. Southbound, follow in reverse.”
Western Bay of Plenty
SH2 North Tauranga – Te Mania Bridge and Uretara to Tanners Point Road – open with a 30km/h temporary speed limit.
SH2 Katikati to Tauranga – Open for light vehicles only with detour on Wainui south/Esdaile Road.
SH2 Katikati to Waihī – Closed between Old Tauranga Road and Athenree Road, no available detour until Steele Road flooding recedes.
Eastern Bay of Plenty
SH2 Matatā straights (west of Matatā) – is now cleared and reopened.
SH2 south of Matatā – closed due to flooding and debris.
SH2 Pukehina – caution advised, likely to flood around 10am high tide.
Possibility of a road closure.
SH2 and SH30 Awakeri – roads open.
SH2 Waimana Gorge – road open, small debris on sides of road.
SH35 – closure at Ōpōtiki (residents/emergency services only) until Tairawhiti CDEM advise road may be reopened.
Tauranga
SH2 Tauranga Eastern Link – all lanes closed between Sandhurst Interchange and Domain Road Interchange due to surface flooding.
“Driving through flood water can be extremely dangerous. Just 15cm of water can sweep a person off their feet, and 30cm can carry away most vehicles,” NZTA said in a statement.
“Motorists should be aware of branches and other debris they may not be able to see under the surface of flood waters.“
People are asked to be mindful of contractors who could be out clearing hazards off the road, and drive slowly through worksites.”
A number of power outages have also been reported around the city.
Power is reported to be out in parts of Welcome Bay, Bethlehem, Brookfield, Bellevue and Mount Maunganui.
Further afield, SH2 between Matawai and Whatatutu remains closed following flooding and rockfall late last night, NZTA said in a statement this morning.
SH35 between Okitu and Pōtaka remains closed until crews have had a chance to assess the road at 7am.
People are asked to avoid the area.
“Heavy and persistent rainfall has made the ground surrounding the region’s state highways sodden. Please be alert to the possibility of further flooding, slips, debris in other parts of the state highway network,” NZTA said.
SH2 between Matawai and Ōpōtiki remains closed.
Tolaga Bay and further north remains under a red heavy rain warning until 9am today; south of Tolaga Bay, Gisborne and Hawke’s Bay remain under an orange warning until 10am.
In Hawke’s Bay, the state highways remain open, however drivers in the region are urged to take care and be aware of the possibility of slips or debris.
“It’s really important people drive to the conditions, and adjust your speed; turn your headlights on and adjust your following distance when you need to.
“If you are traveling the network, please adhere to any temporary traffic management or speed restrictions that may be in place.”
In a statement, Civil Defence said landslides could happen without warning and were often triggered by heavy rain, “so stay alert”.
“Once a landslide has occurred, stay away from the landslide area. Further landslides were possible.”
What to do in case of a landslide:
Landslide warnings signs include:
“Get out of the path of the landslide quickly. Evacuate if the building you are in is in danger,” BOP Civil Defence said.
The red rain warning issued for the region yesterday has now been lifted, according to MetService’s website.
For today, MetService said heavy rain with possible downpours were expected to clear this morning with fine breaks developing.
Strong easterlies, changing lighter westerly in the morning.