Six people tragically lost their lives after a landslide on the south-eastern slope of Mauao came down into the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park shortly before 9.30am on 22 January. The holiday park is owned and operated by Tauranga City Council.
Those that died were Lisa Maclennan, 50, Susan Knowles, 71, Jacqualine Wheeler, 71, Måns Bernhardsson, 20, Sharon Maccanico, 15, and Max Furse-Kee, 15.
The day after the landslide, Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale, with support from his Councillors, announced there would be an independent review into the tragic event, with former High Court Judge Hon Paul Davison KSO KC appointed as the independent reviewer on 12 February.
“This external review was commissioned because we believed there needed to be an independent and transparent examination of what happened and understand any lessons that must be learned. We owed that to the people who died, their families, and the wider community,” said Mayor Mahé Drysdale.
In accordance with the review’s Terms of Reference, Mr Davison spent approximately six months examining the facts, timeline and decision-making processes leading up to the landslide, the adequacy of risk assessments and monitoring systems, and the lessons that could be learned to strengthen future safety.
In his report, Mr Davison concluded that there had been systemic failure within the organisation and the tragedy was "preventable".
"This was not a hazard that was unknown, hidden, or beyond the reach of foresight. For more than two decades, one competent consultant after another identified the landslide hazard to the campground, located it on the very slope that failed, and explained, sometimes in stark terms, what the consequences of a landslide occurring could be," Mr Davison writes in the report.
At the public announcement today, Mayor Drysdale began by acknowledging those whose lives were lost in the tragic event.
“While this tragedy has had a profound and lasting impact on our community, it is those who lost their lives, and the family and friends who continue to live with that loss every day, who remain at the centre of our thoughts.”
Mayor Drysdale said the findings of the review are “clear and deeply confronting”.
“While this report does not attribute blame to any individual person, it concludes that over many years, Tauranga City Council missed opportunities that may have helped prevent this tragedy. The report highlights weaknesses in the way risks were identified, managed and responded to, as well as shortcomings in the organisation’s systems and processes,” he said.
“On behalf of Tauranga City Council, we accept Mr Davison’s findings and recommendations.”
Mayor Drysdale said prior to the report’s public release, he and Mr Davison had engaged with the families of those who lost their lives, to share the review’s findings.
"I have offered each family a sincere apology, on behalf of Tauranga City Council, for the failings Mr Davison has identified in his report.”
Mayor Drysdale said he and his Councillors are committed to ensuring the organisation learns from these findings and delivers significant improvements to its risk management performance.
“We have demanded change from the organisation with a clear expectation that the recommendations made by Mr Davison will be implemented,” he said.
“We have instructed the Chief Executive to provide us with a detailed plan outlining exactly how he and the Executive Team will improve risk management processes, and how systems and organisational practices will be strengthened. We expect this work to be undertaken with urgency and rigour.”
At a Council meeting to be held on 1 September, Chief Executive Marty Grenfell will present a report to the Mayor and Councillors detailing the organisation’s response to the review’s findings. The report is expected to outline the actions already underway, identify measurable indicators of improvement, and provide assurance that significant changes to systems, practices and organisational culture are being implemented.
At today’s public announcement, Chief Executive Marty Grenfell said, “on behalf of the organisation, I want to express my deepest sympathies and am sorry for the loss these families are living with, and for the pain this has caused our community.
“We welcome Mr Davison’s report. We fully accept and will be implementing the recommendations in full.
"The findings are deeply confronting. The organisation must learn from what Mr Davison has highlighted for us and ensure the lessons from this tragedy lead to meaningful and lasting change,” said Mr Grenfell.
Mayor Drysdale noted the report released today pre-dates the Government inquiry and investigations currently being undertaken by the Coroner, Police and WorkSafe.
Mayor Drysdale thanked Mr Davison for his professionalism, expertise and unwavering commitment in undertaking thorough analysis and meticulous research which ensured the external review was robust and credible.
“We are grateful for the genuine care and respect Mr Davison has shown victims’ families and our staff throughout this difficult process.”
The external review report is now available on the Tauranga City Council website. A livestream recording of the public announcement can be viewed at: www.tauranga.govt.nz/externalreview