Under its Terms of Reference, the external review will examine the circumstances leading up to the landslide, including decision-making processes and the systems in place at the time. It will consider lessons that can be learned and improvements needed to strengthen future safety practices.
The external review is due to be completed on 31 July 2026. Upon completion, the report will be provided by Mr Davison to the Mayor and Councillors.
Mayor Mahé Drysdale says the Council will take the time to carefully consider the findings and engage with those most directly affected before the review findings are released publicly.
“Before releasing the findings publicly, it is important that we meet with and support those most directly affected. Given the significance of the review and the loss experienced, we want to ensure that those most impacted are informed of the findings ahead of the public release.”
“We recognise there is significant community interest in this tragic event,” says Mayor Drysdale.
The review commissioned by the Mayor and Councillors is separate from the Government Inquiry and the investigations currently being undertaken by the Coroner, Police and WorkSafe.
Tauranga City Council will not be providing any further comment at this time.