At least two people have died and as many as nine remain missing after landslides struck a house and a busy campground on New Zealand’s North Island. Police said children are among those unaccounted for. Emergency crews and search-and-rescue teams worked through the night to locate survivors and secure the area. Officials said by early Friday there had been no progress in finding those missing, as unstable ground and debris complicated access to parts of the site. Images from the scene showed crushed recreational vehicles and a collapsed structure at the campground, where families had gathered during the summer school holiday period. Authorities said the death toll could rise as teams continue to search areas buried by mud and fallen vegetation.
The incident unfolded on Thursday, sending earth and rock through residential and holiday areas. Police confirmed two fatalities and reported multiple people missing after landslides swept across both a private home and the campground. Crews remained on site overnight and into the morning, as responders focused on locating missing people while managing safety risks from further slope movement.
Timing and location
The landslides occurred on Thursday on New Zealand’s North Island, affecting a house and a campground. Officials reported continued search operations into Friday morning.
Image Credit: The Guardian
Overnight search focuses on missing campers
Police said as many as nine people may be missing after the landslides, including children who were staying at the campground with family members. Search teams remained on scene overnight and continued at first light, working in difficult terrain. Officials said loose ground, debris, and damaged access routes slowed progress. Responders prioritised areas where witnesses last saw people and where heavier damage suggests buried vehicles or structures.
Authorities established safety cordons and controlled access to reduce the risk of further injuries. Teams coordinated efforts to move debris, check damaged structures, and scan open areas. Emergency workers involved in searches of this kind typically rotate regularly to manage fatigue, especially when working on unstable slopes. Officials said they would release further updates as information becomes available and next of kin are notified.
Casualty figures and identification process
Police confirmed two deaths from the incident. Authorities are following established disaster victim identification procedures, which include forensic examination and liaison with families. Officials generally do not release the names of victims until they have confirmed identities and notified relatives. Police said the number of missing remains an estimate and may change as they verify reports and account for people who left the area or reached safety without immediate contact.
Medical teams supported the operation and stood by to treat injuries related to landslide impact and exposure. Emergency services in New Zealand coordinate closely in such incidents, with police overseeing the search and coronial processes while fire and rescue specialists assist with access and recovery. Officials said they would release updated casualty figures once they complete checks with families and confirm the status of those reported missing.
Campground and residential areas struck
The landslides hit both a residential property and a campground where holidaymakers had gathered during the peak of the summer school break. Families often travel to coastal and rural sites across the North Island during January, increasing the number of people staying in campgrounds and recreational areas. Images from the scene showed smashed recreational vehicles and a collapsed structure at the campground, with mud and debris covering surrounding ground.
Campground operators typically maintain site plans and guest lists that can help authorities identify who was present at the time. In emergencies, police compare such records with witness statements to create a list of potential missing persons. Officials said they are working to reconcile reports, and they urged people who left the area safely to contact authorities to help update records.
Landslide risks on New Zealand’s North Island
New Zealand’s North Island includes regions of steep terrain, soft soils, and coastal cliffs that can be prone to slips, particularly after periods of heavy rain. In recent years, severe weather has led to deadly landslides and flooding. During Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023, multiple North Island communities reported extensive landslides and slope failures that caused fatalities and damaged roads, homes, and farms.
Geotechnical experts note that landslides can occur rapidly and with little warning on saturated or unstable slopes. Even moderate ground movement can endanger people in vehicles, tents, and lightweight structures. Campgrounds near hillsides, streams, or cliff edges face heightened risks when ground conditions deteriorate. Authorities advise the public to avoid steep faces, fresh cracks, or areas with recent rockfall signs after major rainfall, and to follow official instructions during emergencies.
Authorities coordinate emergency response
New Zealand Police lead search and rescue operations for land incidents, supported by Fire and Emergency New Zealand and local civil defence groups. In events like this, responders often include specialist urban search and rescue personnel trained in structural assessment and confined space operations. Their priority remains finding survivors and reducing risks to both the public and emergency workers. Officials also engage with local councils and utility providers to assess infrastructure and manage hazards such as downed lines or disrupted services.
When landslides involve residential areas and public facilities, authorities typically conduct geotechnical assessments before allowing re-entry. These checks help determine stability and identify areas that need reinforcement or restrictions. While officials have not released detailed findings from the current site, they said unstable ground and debris have limited access and slowed the pace of operations. Police reiterated that updates would follow once they complete checks and notify families.
Witness accounts and imagery from the scene
Images shared publicly showed recreational vehicles crushed under debris at the campground and a damaged structure that appeared to have been hit by a large volume of earth and rocks. The surrounding area showed signs of disrupted vegetation and mudflow. Such damage patterns are consistent with fast-moving landslides that carry soil, rocks, and uprooted trees downslope, striking anything in their path.
Authorities often rely on witness accounts to determine where people were last seen. In campground settings, those accounts can include notes of who was inside vehicles, tents, or communal facilities when debris began to move. Officials said they are working to cross-check reports and to contact families who may have left the area shortly after the incident. They asked people with information to come forward to assist with the search.
Community impact and seasonal pressures
The incident occurred during New Zealand’s summer holiday period, when families often travel and camp. Seasonal peaks increase occupancy at campgrounds and holiday parks, placing added demand on local emergency services when incidents occur. Communities that host large numbers of visitors during holidays generally maintain contingency plans with local authorities to manage evacuation, welfare support, and reunification efforts.
Local businesses and accommodation providers often assist responders by supplying guest lists, communications support, and space for welfare checks. Officials did not detail specific support measures for this incident, but said they remained focused on accounting for missing people and supporting families. Updates on welfare arrangements, road access, and site safety are expected as assessments progress.
What this means
The immediate priority remains locating the missing and securing the landslide area to protect both residents and responders. Police have confirmed two deaths and said up to nine people, including children, may still be unaccounted for. Search teams worked overnight and continued on Friday morning, but officials reported no progress in finding those missing by early Friday. Families and friends of those at the campground and the affected home face delays as authorities verify reports and confirm identities.
Access to parts of the site remains limited by unstable ground and debris. Emergency crews continue to manage safety cordons and coordinate resources at the scene. Casualty figures may change as responders complete checks and reach previously inaccessible areas. Officials said further information will follow once next of kin are notified and assessments permit wider access.
When and where
The landslides struck a house and a campground on New Zealand’s North Island on Thursday. Officials reported overnight search efforts and no progress in locating missing people by early Friday. Details were published on 22 January 2026 GMT by The Guardian, citing police and local officials.
