We're loading the full news article for you. This includes the article content, images, author information, and related articles.
Massive landslides in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty kill two and leave campers missing, turning a holiday paradise into a disaster zone following record rainfall.

A popular holiday destination in New Zealand has been turned into a disaster zone after torrential rains triggered massive landslides, killing at least two people and leaving several others missing under mountains of mud and debris.
The catastrophe struck the North Island’s Bay of Plenty region early Thursday morning, shattering the summer calm. The worst hit was the Beachside Holiday Park at the base of Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcano and sacred Māori site, where a hillside collapsed onto sleeping campers.
Emergency services described the scene as chaotic. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-5)At 4:50 AM (local time), a landslide smashed into a home in Welcome Bay, trapping a family inside. Rescuers worked frantically in the driving rain but recovered two bodies hours later. Two other occupants miraculously escaped with injuries.
Shortly after, at 9:30 AM, a second slip obliterated a section of the Mount Maunganui campground. Campervans were crushed like soda cans, and a shower block was flattened. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-7)"I heard a crack like thunder," said witness Alister Hardy. "Then the whole hill just came down. People were screaming, 'Get us out!'"
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addressed the nation, visibly shaken. "New Zealand is heavy with grief," he posted on X. [...](asc_slot://start-slot-9)"This is a profound tragedy. We stand with the families who have lost loved ones and those still waiting for news."
For the tight-knit community of Tauranga, the disaster is a grim reminder of nature’s fury. The "slice of paradise" that attracts thousands of tourists annually is now a crime scene of climate destruction. As night falls, the search continues under floodlights, but hope is fading with every passing hour.
“We are praying for a miracle,” said Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell. “But we must prepare for the worst.”
Keep the conversation in one place—threads here stay linked to the story and in the forums.
Sign in to start a discussion
Start a conversation about this story and keep it linked here.
Other hot threads
E-sports and Gaming Community in Kenya
Active 9 months ago
The Role of Technology in Modern Agriculture (AgriTech)
Active 9 months ago
Popular Recreational Activities Across Counties
Active 9 months ago
Investing in Youth Sports Development Programs
Active 9 months ago