Cabinet has officially agreed to the Terms of Reference and membership for a government inquiry into the fatal landslides in Tauranga, an announcement made by Emergency Management and Recovery Associate Minister Chris Penk. The decision follows the devastating events of January 22, 2026, which claimed the lives of eight people.
Minister Penk said “These events have caused profound grief. For the families and loved ones of those who died, the loss has been devastating. That pain has been shared by the wider Tauranga community and by people throughout New Zealand. ”
The fatalities occurred in two separate events. Two people died when a landslide struck a property on Pāpāmoa’s Welcome Bay Road, and several hours later, six people were killed when a section of Mauao collapsed onto the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.
The Minister said “The Inquiry will establish how the fatal landslides occurred, report on whether relevant agencies took appropriate steps to manage any apparent risk in the period immediately prior to the two fatal landslides – including steps to warn and evacuate people likely to be affected by the landslides – and identify any lessons that can be applied to reduce the risk of similar tragedies in future.”
The investigation will be led by the Honourable Sir Mark O’Regan, a retired Supreme Court Judge and former President of the Court of Appeal. He will be supported by Dr. Helen Anderson, a former Chief Science Adviser with technical review expertise—including her work on the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake’s Statistics House failure—and Steve Symon, who brings legal expertise from serving as a lead lawyer during the proceedings following the 2019 Whakaari/White Island volcanic eruption.
The Inquiry will begin considering evidence on March 30 and is required to deliver a final report with recommendations by December 3, 2026.