Tauranga City Council acknowledges the significant public interest in the Mauao landslide that occurred on Thursday, 22 January 2026.
In the interests of transparency and to keep our community informed, Council is today launching a dedicated website Mauao landslide. The purpose of this public website is to provide our community with a direct source of information relating to the Mauao landslide. Since the event, Council has received many information requests under the Local Government Official Information & Meetings Act (LGOIMA), and this website allows us to make information available openly and efficiently in response to those requests.
The first tranche of documents, consisting of geotechnical reports and related material, is now available on the website. As further information is collated and prepared it will be progressively added to the website over the coming weeks.
Tauranga City Council Chief Executive Marty Grenfell says proactively releasing information on the website is an important step in ensuring transparency for everyone affected by this tragedy and the wider public.
“We are committed to being open with our community. That means sharing as much information as we can, while preserving the integrity of ongoing investigations and the privacy and safety of everyone involved. Our intention is to provide a timely, open source of information that the public can access,” says Marty.
In publishing this information, Council acknowledges the significance of Mauao and the impact this tragedy has had on the families who lost loved ones, tangata whenua, residents, and the wider community. Council has notified the Office of the Ombudsman and other stakeholders of its decision to proactively release this information.
Consistent with our legal responsibilities under LGOIMA, information is being made available unless there is good reason for withholding it. Where those good reasons exist, we have clearly marked each redaction with the relevant section of LGOIMA.
Further details about the principle of availability and the statutory reasons for withholding information under LGOIMA are available on the website.
There are multiple active and independent inquiries underway, including by the Coroner, WorkSafe, Police, and an independent review led by former High Court Judge Hon. Paul Davison KC, with a central government inquiry pending. It is important to allow those processes to run their course, and so Council will not be making any further comment on the information at this time.
Media enquiries regarding the Mauao landslide should be directed to communications@tauranga.govt.nz where they will be managed in accordance with LGOIMA.