Recovery efforts on Mauao (Mount Maunganui) are entering a critical new phase following a series of significant landslides, with Recovery Manager Charlie Rahiri saying the focus has shifted from immediate emergency response to ensuring the long-term safety of the maunga and the communities that surround it.
Rahiri, who also serves as Chair of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ranginui, is coordinating the recovery alongside iwi, emergency management agencies, Tauranga City Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and geotechnical specialists after multiple slips forced the closure of Marine Parade and walking tracks around the iconic landmark.
The latest landslides followed prolonged periods of heavy rainfall that left parts of the hillside saturated and unstable. Geotechnical assessments have identified sections of the cliff face as highly mobile, with experts warning that additional rockfalls and slips remain possible until conditions stabilise.
Authorities have maintained cordons around affected areas while specialist engineers continue monitoring movement within the hillside. Public access to parts of Mauao remains restricted as assessments determine when it is safe to reopen walking tracks and surrounding roads.
Rahiri says recovery is about far more than repairing infrastructure.
For Ngāti Ranginui and other mana whenua, Mauao is a living ancestor whose cultural, spiritual and environmental significance extends well beyond its role as one of New Zealand’s most recognisable landmarks. Decisions about recovery therefore require close collaboration between iwi, local government, emergency services and technical experts to ensure both public safety and the protection of the maunga.
The recovery programme includes ongoing geological monitoring, slope stability assessments, environmental restoration and planning for future resilience. Engineers are examining options to reduce future risks while recognising the unique geological characteristics of Mauao, where natural weathering and erosion are an ongoing part of the landscape.
The slips have also highlighted the increasing challenges many communities face as severe weather events become more frequent and intense. Local authorities across New Zealand are being forced to consider how climate-related impacts, including prolonged rainfall, coastal erosion and unstable hillsides, affect public infrastructure and culturally significant sites.
Rahiri says iwi involvement has been central throughout the response, ensuring mātauranga Māori and local knowledge sit alongside scientific advice as recovery decisions are made.
Emergency services continue to urge the public to respect all closures and safety barriers, warning that unstable rock faces can remain dangerous even during periods of fine weather. Officials say movement within saturated slopes can continue long after rainfall has ended, making ongoing monitoring essential.
The response has demonstrated the importance of coordinated partnerships between central government, councils, iwi and emergency agencies in managing increasingly complex natural hazards.
While there is no confirmed timeline for the full reopening of all affected areas, authorities say public safety will remain the overriding priority as recovery work continues.
For the people of Tauranga Moana, the recovery represents not only the restoration of a treasured landmark but also a commitment to protecting one of Aotearoa’s most culturally significant maunga for future generations.
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