The base track of Mount Maunganui has been described as “obliterated” following extreme rainfall in January, leaving a landscape of bare earth and broken trees. Iwi and the Tauranga City Council are now collaborating on a remediation plan for the landslide-stricken path.
The region was lashed with more than two months of rain in less than 12 hours, resulting in 42 landslides across Mauao. One of these landslides struck the town’s holiday park, claiming six lives and necessitating a recovery operation that lasted 10 days.
Scale of the Destruction
The base track alone was impacted by 29 landslides, which ranged in severity from moderate to severe. Those who have accessed the area described the damage as “overwhelming.”
“It’s like describing a tupuna or ancestor that’s suffered some great trauma,” said Joshua Te Kani.
Mauao trustee Jack Thatcher, who grew up on the maunga and recalls fishing for kaimoana with his father and uncles in the late 1960s, warned that the public may not fully grasp the extent of the ruin. Addressing suggestions that the track could be fixed with simple tools, Thatcher noted the difficulty of the terrain.
“Well I hope your spade is as considerable as a bulldozers blade. We can’t even get bulldozers around there so it’s going to be a difficult job being able to get machinery.”
Recovery and Remediation Efforts
Recovery efforts are currently split between two primary areas of the maunga:
- The Summit Track: Earthworks have already commenced and are expected to take up to three months.
- The Base Track: There is currently no set timeframe for remediation.
Charlie Rahiri, the newly appointed Mauao Recovery Manager for the Tauranga City Council, stated his goal is to safely return a sense of normality to the region. He indicated that current investigations are focused on the substantial damage to the base track, particularly on the ocean side.
Council officials are currently assessing the necessary costs and timeframes, as well as determining the safest methods for repair.
Investigations and Future Outlook
The disaster has triggered several official inquiries and reviews to determine accountability and regional safety:
- An external review of the council’s actions prior to the January tragedy is due next month.
- A central government inquiry into regional landslides is underway.
- Separate investigations are being conducted by police and WorkSafe.
The future of the Mount Maunganui hot pools and holiday park remains undecided. Any decision regarding these facilities will be a joint effort between the Tauranga City Council and the Mauao Trust.
