Tragedy Strikes New Zealand: Landslides Claim Lives Amid Heavy Rains

Mon Feb 02 2026 21:24:17 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

New Zealand faces a devastating aftermath as two lives are lost and several others are missing due to catastrophic landslides caused by severe weather conditions across the North Island.

Following relentless rains that led to flooding and landslides, New Zealand's North Island has recorded the tragic deaths of two individuals, with many still unaccounted for. The search for missing persons continues, as authorities describe affected areas as resembling a 'war zone'. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has expressed national grief over the calamity that has devastated communities already reeling from previous climate-related disasters.

Two people have died and several are feared buried after landslides in New Zealand's North Island.

The deaths were reported at Welcome Bay, while rescue workers are still searching through rubble at a different site in a popular campground on Mount Maunganui.

There are no 'signs of life', authorities said, adding that they have a 'rough idea' of how many people are missing but are waiting for an exact figure. They provided no other details except that the group includes 'at least one young girl'.

The landslides were triggered by heavy rains over the last few days, which led to flooding and power outages across North Island. One minister said the east coast resembled 'a war zone'.

New Zealand is 'heavy with grief' after the 'profound tragedy' caused by recent weather, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said on X.

Footage from the campsite on Mount Maunganui, an extinct volcano, shows a huge slip near the base of the volcanic dome, as rescuers and sniffer dogs comb through crushed caravans and flattened tents.

Authorities said that the search would continue through the night. 'This is a complex and high-risk environment, and our teams are working to achieve the best possible outcome while keeping everyone safe,' said Megan Stiffler, the deputy national commander for the Urban Search and Rescue team.

A state of emergency has been declared in the Bay of Plenty, where Mount Maunganui sits, alongside other regions affected by the extreme weather.

Several areas reported their wettest days on record, with Tauranga receiving three months' worth of rain in just one day. Currently, around 8,000 people are without power.

Unfortunately, another incident has added to the efforts, with a man reportedly swept away in the Mahurangi River during the floods as he and his nephew tried to escape their car.

Minister for Emergency Management Mark Mitchell remarked on the widespread impact, saying, 'It's been a very big event for us as a country, really hitting almost our entire eastern seaboard of the North Island.'

This week's floods come as the country continues to rebuild from past climate events, showcasing the vulnerabilities of the region to extreme weather conditions.

}