The Government has agreed on the terms of reference and membership for its inquiry into the deadly landslides in Tauranga.
By Ayla Yeoman of Local Democracy Reporting
Eight people died in two landslides in Tauranga on January 22 following extreme weather.
A grandmother and grandson died when a landslide struck a property in Pāpāmoa’s Welcome Bay Rd at around 4.15am.
Six others, including two Pakūranga College students, two Rotorua friends, a Swedish tourist and a Morrinsville teacher died hours later when a section of Mauao collapsed on the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park at around 9.30am.
Emergency Management and Recovery Associate Minister Chris Penk said the Government recognised the significant public concern regarding these tragic events and acknowledged the importance for both the families and the wider community of determining exactly what happened.
Tauranga Moana Iwi would also be communicated with directly about the process.
The inquiry would establish how the fatal landslides occurred, report on whether relevant agencies took the appropriate steps to manage any apparent risk in the period immediately prior to the two fatal landslides and identify any lessons that could be applied to reduce the risk of similar tragedies in the future.
The inquiry would be led by Sir Mark O’Regan, a retired Supreme Court Judge and a former President of the Court of Appeal.
He would be supported by Dr Helen Anderson and Steve Symon.
Anderson was the chief executive of the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology for six years (2004-2010), prior to which she was the Chief Science Adviser.
She has chaired and contributed to many reviews of technical issues such as the failure of Statistics House in the 2016 Kaikōura earthquake and the Christchurch CBD collapse in 2011.
Steve Symon brought additional legal expertise to the inquiry.
He was recently the chair of the Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational, Serious, Organised Crime.
His experience included serving as a lead lawyer for WorkSafe New Zealand during the legal proceedings following the 2019 Whakaari/White Island volcanic eruption.
The scope of the inquiry was directed around the two landslide sites, and the material causes of the landslides, including the topography, geology of the affected slopes and runout areas, the material impact from severe storms and previous significant weather events, and any changes to vegetation cover or land use in the immediate vicinity of the landslides.
The inquiry would also look into the knowledge relevant agencies had about landslide risk in the area, including any lessons learned from previous events.
It would also look into the nature and extent of any information available in the days and hours immediately before the fatal landslides, which could have been used to provide effective warnings, including weather forecasts and warnings, calls to emergency services and any physical assessments at the site.
The inquiry would assess the powers and responsibilities possessed by relevant agencies and persons before the fatal landslides, including powers to warn and/or evacuate people, and how those powers and responsibilities were exercised in and around the vicinity of the two fatal landslides before the landslides occurred.
There were several matters outlined by the Government as “outside the scope” of the inquiry, including assessing the rescue and recovery activities, or assessing legislative, administrative, and policy settings to the extent that it considers material cause.
The inquiry would not repeat the work of the Government inquiry into the Response to the North Island Severe Weather Events.
In accordance with the Inquiries Act, it would have no power to determine civil, criminal, or disciplinary liability of any person, but may make findings of fault or recommendations that further steps be taken to determine liability.
The inquiry would make recommendations on practicable steps or systemic improvements that it considers relevant agencies should take or make to minimise the risk of future similar circumstances.
It would also make recommendations about whether there were sufficient powers and authorities in place to enable relevant agencies to manage and respond to the imminent risk from future landslides.
Penk said those responsible for the inquiry would be required to communicate with the families of the victims about its progress.
“It is my expectation that this engagement will be conducted with respect and sensitivity, and that the work will proceed as efficiently as possible.”
The inquiry will begin considering evidence and information on March 30 and will be required to deliver a final report with recommendations by December 3, 2026.
Tauranga City Council and WorkSafe were also conducting separate inquiries.
Tauranga City Council's external review, conducted by independent reviewer, Paul Davidson KC, was expected to be completed by the middle of 2026.
WorkSafe investigations could take up to 12 months from the date of the incident.
Local Democracy Reporting is local-body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
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