A large landslide struck the Beachside Holiday Park at the base of Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty region today, leaving several people, including children, missing.
Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell confirmed that search and rescue operations are ongoing at the site. Fire and Emergency New Zealand commander William Pike said rescuers initially heard voices beneath the debris but have not made contact since, and no survivors have yet been recovered.
The disaster follows heavy rain and flooding across parts of the North Island overnight, which caused widespread power outages and left some communities on the east coast and in Northland isolated.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has urged residents in affected areas to follow safety instructions from local authorities during these extreme weather conditions.
