Severe Weather Devastates New Zealand's North Island

A series of severe weather systems has caused widespread damage across New Zealand's North Island over recent weeks, resulting in multiple fatalities, significant flooding, and destructive landslides. The events have prompted states of emergency in several regions, large-scale evacuations, and extensive recovery operations.

Wellington Flash Flooding

In mid-January, Wellington experienced record rainfall, leading to flash flooding and evacuations.

The city received 77 millimeters of rain in less than an hour, an amount described by Mayor Andrew Little as the heaviest rainfall on record for Wellington.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand responded to over 150 calls for assistance overnight. Low-lying areas were severely affected, with cars submerged on Adelaide Road in Berhampore. Residents in flood-prone areas were advised to move to higher ground.

Police initiated a search for a man, Philip Sutton, in the suburb of Karori. On Wednesday, a body was recovered from the south coast near the mouth of the Karori Stream. Police stated that while formal identification is pending, they believe the body to be that of Mr. Sutton and have notified his family.

An assistance centre was established for evacuees. Local Māori groups opened their marae to provide shelter, and organizations like the Wellington City Mission assisted those displaced.

Mount Maunganui Landslide and Fatalities

A major landslide struck the Beachside Holiday Park at the base of Mount Maunganui on the morning of Thursday, January 11.

The landslide, occurring around 9:30 AM, buried campervans, caravans, tents, and an ablutions block. Following intensive search and rescue efforts, police announced the operation had transitioned to a recovery phase. Human remains were located, and six individuals were confirmed deceased.

New Zealand Police have identified the six individuals as:

• Max Furse-Kee, 15, from Auckland
• Sharon Maccanico, 15, from Auckland
• Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, from Morrinsville
• Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, from Sweden
• Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, from Rotorua
• Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, from Ngongotaha

Recovery efforts have been described as challenging due to unstable ground conditions and the risk of further slips. An independent inquiry into the events leading to the disaster has been announced by Tauranga City Council.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has also called for a wider independent probe to examine whether opportunities to prevent the fatalities were missed.

Reports indicate that a local resident contacted emergency services nearly four hours before the main landslide to report land movement. Emergency services notified the Tauranga City Council, the landowner, at 5:51 AM.

Additional Weather-Related Incidents

The severe weather caused other fatal events and widespread disruption across the North Island.

• In a separate landslide at Welcome Bay, also on January 11, two fatalities were confirmed. The victims were identified as a grandmother and her grandchild, with one reported to be a Chinese national. Another person at the scene sustained serious injuries.
• A search was conducted for a 47-year-old man who was swept into the Mahurangi River, north of Auckland, on Wednesday, January 10. A body was later recovered from the river.
• Record rainfall was recorded in several areas. Tauranga received 274 millimeters of rain within 24 hours, surpassing a record set in 1910.
• States of emergency were declared in multiple regions including the Bay of Plenty, Northland, Coromandel, Tairāwhiti, Hauraki, Waipā, Ōtorohanga, Manawatū, Rangitīkei, and Tararua.
• The national weather service, MetService, issued rare red-level weather warnings, indicating a "threat to life" from dangerous river conditions, flooding, and landslides.

Ongoing Severe Weather and Response

Further severe weather impacted the North Island in late January, exacerbating recovery challenges.

A deepening low-pressure system brought heavy rain and severe gales, leading to new flood warnings and additional states of emergency. One fatality was confirmed after a man, identified as Brent Knowles, was found deceased in a submerged vehicle on State Highway 39 in Puketotara.

The weather caused significant infrastructure damage, including widespread power outages affecting thousands of properties, road closures, and disruptions to air travel, with flights cancelled at Wellington Airport. Swells in the Wellington area were forecast to reach up to 7 meters.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited affected areas, offered condolences to families, and emphasized government support for recovery efforts.