The State of Emergency declared for Tauranga following the recent severe weather has been extended until Wednesday, 4 February as recovery operations and community support efforts continue across the city.
Maintenance of Mauao temporary memorial site
Tauranga City Council City Operations staff will be maintaining the memorial site along the Mauao/Mount Maunganui fenced area as a mark of respect.
The aroha and condolences from the community for those who tragically lost their lives in the Mauao landslide, and their loved ones, is expressed through the heartfelt messages of support, flowers, and mementos left at the temporary memorial on the corner of Adams Avenue and The Mall.
To ensure that these can continue to be shared, all messages and mementos will be relocated to He Maimai Aroha - Community Care Centre, 249 Maunganui Road, when the cordon currently in place is moved.
The memorial site itself will remain until the cordons are removed. A long-term solution for the messages will be decided in due course.
Mayoral Relief Fund
A Mayoral Relief Fund has been established to provide timely financial assistance to families, residents, and businesses experiencing urgent, unmet needs following the recent severe weather events across Tauranga. Information on eligibility, how to apply, and how to donate to the fund can be found at www.tauranga.govt.nz/mayoralrelieffund
Community wellbeing and support
Information on where to access local support services has been added to the Tauranga City Council website: Community wellbeing and support
Access to the cordoned-off area in Mount Maunganui
If you live, have a business, or are staying within the cordoned-off area, from Friday 30 January you will need a permit to get through the road closures with a vehicle.
To get your permit: go to He Maimai Aroha – Community Care Centre at 249 Maunganui Road
When: daily, 9am-9pm
What to bring: proof of address or accommodation booking e.g. bank statement, power bill email, hotel reservation, AirBnB booking etc. Council staff will issue your permit immediately.
Note: on-street parking behind the cordoned-off area is limited. If you don’t have off-street parking, please park outside the cordon and walk in, if you can.
Access to the cordoned area is strictly controlled. Entry will not be granted without a resident’s permit and correct identification. Without a resident's permit you will be sent to He Maimai Aroha – Community Care Centre to obtain one. Limited, managed allowances are solely at the discretion of on-site security staff. Vehicles must remain within designated areas and comply with all directions once inside the cordon.
Exception: If you have an accommodation booking and are arriving outside the He Maimai Aroha – Community Care Centre operating hours of 9am-9pm, you can show proof of your accommodation booking to on-site security staff to gain access.
Parking in Mount Maunganui
Parking enforcement in Mount Maunganui has been suspended in the area from Sutherland Avenue, along Maunganui Road through to Marine Parade. This suspension will remain in place until the recovery operation at the Mount Beachside Holiday Park is complete, and road cordons have been lifted. A designated section of Coronation Park will be available for free public parking daily from 6am to 9pm. Access to this area will be via the Nikau Crescent entrance. The parking area will be fenced off; however, it will not be actively monitored. We ask all drivers to use common sense and park considerately to ensure safe and easy access for all users. Please note that Parking Officers will still attend callouts where vehicles are parked in a way that causes safety concerns or requires enforcement attention. The road closures remain in place from Commons Avenue, towards Mauao.
Hopukiore Mount Drury
Hopukiore Mount Drury has now reopened and is a designated tsunami safe location.
In the event of a tsunami, the tsunami safe locations for Mount Maunganui are at Hopukiore Mount Drury and at Blake Park, between Maunganui Road and Totara Street. Mauao is no longer a designated tsunami safe location due to the Mauao landslide event on Thursday, 22 January and is closed to the public until further notice. There are still cordons in place around Mauao for public safety. However Marine Parade, as far as Adams Avenue is open to pedestrians. An earthquake is the first warning that a tsunami might be on the way. Do not wait for official warnings to evacuate. If an earthquake is long or strong, get gone. Move quickly to higher ground or as far from the coastline as possible. For more information on tsunami evacuation zones, visit www.tauranga.govt.nz/tsunami and bopcivildefence.govt.nz.
Public toilets at Mount Maunganui
Public toilets at the Pilot Bay Boat Ramp (cnr Adams Avenue and Pilot Quay) and Mount Surf Club (Adams Avenue) are currently closed. The following public toilets remain open:
- Mount Main Beach, Marine Parade, (opposite Commons Avenue) 6am-midnight
- Mount Drury Hopukiore Reserve, Pacific Avenue, 7am-11pm
- Mount Drury Hopukiore Reserve, 61 Maunganui Road, 7am -11pm
- Mount Main Street (Te Papa o Ngā Manu Porotakataka), 141 Maunganui Road, 7am-11pm
- Salisbury Avenue, 10 Salisbury Avenue, 24 hours
- The Mall, opposite 24 The Mall, 24 hours
Track closures
- Johnson Reserve, all access point until arborists confirm site safe and tree works completed.
- Waikareao West, Novella Place location
Events this weekend
While the focus remains firmly on supporting the recovery operation and the whānau grieving the loss of loved ones, events planned for this weekend are proceeding. Mauao remains closed, however the rest of our city is open and local businesses continue to need support. All events will go ahead with respect and sensitivity.
FISHER at Bay Oval is expected to attract more than 20,000 attendees, with many travelling from outside Tauranga. A ticketed event-specific bus service will operate for ticketholders, with pick-up and drop-off points in Tauranga city centre, Pāpāmoa, and Greerton. Bus tickets should be purchased prior through the Trademark Live website. Attendees are encouraged to use the event buses or walk if staying nearby. There is no event parking at Bay Oval.
We are advising the public travelling to or within Mount Maunganui on Saturday to expect increased congestion and allow extra travel time.
Road closures and parking restrictions:
Event: FISHER – Bay Oval
Date: Saturday, 31 January 2026
The following road closures and parking restrictions will be in place:
- Kawaka Street
- Hinau Street
- Tawa Street (Kawaka Street to Matai Street)
- Miro Street (Kawaka Street to Matai Street)
Parking restrictions from 6am – 11.30pm Saturday, 31 January 2026
Road closures from 2pm – 11.30pm Saturday, 31 January 2026
Totara Street (Hull Road to Rata Street)
Parking restrictions from 6am – 11.30pm Saturday, 31 January 2026
Road closures from 10pm – 11.30pm Saturday, 31 January 2026
Maunganui Road (Blake Park side), Clyde Street to Tay Street
Parking restrictions only (no closure) from 6am – 11.30pm Saturday, 31 January 2026
More detailed road closure information is available on the Tauranga City Council website: Event road closures – Tauranga City Council
Waitangi Day Dawn Service
The 2026 Waitangi Day Dawn Service at Hopukiore (Mount Drury) will proceed as planned on Friday, 6 February. There is a strong acknowledgement that community events, such as the Waitangi Day Dawn Service, play an important role in bringing people together in challenging times.
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