WorkSafe says it will be examining the organisations that had a "duty of care" for those at the campground hit by a landslide in Mount Maunganui but that the focus would be on recovery efforts for now.
The recovery efforts for six people missing at the site resumed today after a day-long pause brought on by instability on the face of the slip.
The victims were named on Saturday as Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, Sharon Maccanico, 15 and Max Furse-Kee, 15.
A WorkSafe spokesperson said the agency was in the "very early stages" of assessing what their role might look like once the search and rescue operation was complete.
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"We are currently bringing together a team of inspectors and will be working closely with New Zealand Police to determine next steps," they said in a statement to 1News.
"We will be looking into the organisations that had a duty of care for everyone at the holiday park, and whether or not they were meeting their health and safety responsibilities."
Currently, the focus should remain on recovery efforts, WorkSafe said.
"When the time is right, our inspectors will begin engaging with witnesses and technical experts, and gathering evidence from a range of sources including the organisations involved in the operation of the holiday park and the scene.
"In the meantime, our local inspectors have also extended an offer of support to Emergency Management Bay of Plenty and other agencies to ensure that workers involved in the response are kept safe and healthy."
The Prime Minister praised Emergency Management Minister Mark Mitchell for having been in "all five places where local emergencies have been over the course of the last week". (Source: Breakfast)
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon told Morning Report there were "legitimate questions" around the timing of evacuations at the campground.
He said he supported Tauranga City Council's decision to conduct a full, independent review into the landslide.
"There's lots of concerns that people have about why they weren't evacuated sooner. I think they are very legitimate, very good questions that need answers."
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale said the council's decision to launch an independent investigation was essential to give families and the wider community clarity.
“The families will want answers, the community has a right to answers, and we want to know answers,” he said.
“We know a lot of people are asking very reasonable questions — and we need to answer them.”
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