Mount Maunganui's surf club is set to reopen this weekend – eight months on from the tragic landslide which claimed six lives at the nearby holiday park.
The Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving clubhouse at the base of Mauao closed its doors following the January 22 landslide which killed six people at the nearby Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.
Mt Maunganui Lifeguard Services chairperson Brent Warner gave Seven Sharp's Daniel Faitaua a tour of the new building ahead of its reopening this weekend.
"It's changed a lot from what it used to be. You used to be able to walk through here and look up at Mauao and into the campground. So now it definitely is that look and feel of a physical barrier between us and the mountain."
Fourteen shipping containers each filled with 10 tonnes of boulders and rocks created a combined 164 tonne "safety wall".
"Which is just providing a safety barrier between the risk from rockfall and boulder rolling off Mauao, to the members in our carpark and our clubhouse.
"Look, I've been a member here for 46 years, it's been a big part of my life. To come back here now and see this... it's pretty emotional," Warner said.
Eight months after tragedy struck at the base of Mauao, the beloved institution is preparing to welcome its community back. (Source: Seven Sharp)
Warner said at the time, the club got a 10-minute notice to get everyone out and grab any equipment club members may need.
"Our world really changed suddenly," he explained.
Warner said the club's budget loss for next year was estimated to be just over $300,000.
"So now its financial support... we're really looking to community to support us and help us in the next 12 months."
Mt Maunganui's head coach John Bryant agreed, saying having to adapt to the incident had "cost us a fortune".
"All our gear that's sitting in our containers, our IRBs, our rescue boards, skis, boards, they've all aged a lot... The containers don't breathe a lot, so all that gear has been damp," he explained. "It's really hurt us."
He said the reality of this setup had been brutal for staff and lifeguards – but the payoff was worth it all.
"I love it, i love it. There's nothing better than seeing young people stay fit, looking after people on the beach, making sure they can come and enjoy their beautiful area and know they're safe to go swimming.
"I love the people, love the contact, and wouldn't give it up for the world."
Lifeguards Joshua Tiller, Brodie Scholes, Khloe Warner, Eli O'Fee, and Luke McIvor said they were excited to be back in the club after running operations out of a 20sqm portacom.
"What's the one thing you've missed?" Faitaua asked.
"Probably the hot showers after training. I want to be back in club, but it's tough," Tiller said.
Scholes added: "Yep, you're shivering, aye? It's really cold. Sometimes you put the heater on in the portacom in the container and that kind of heats us up, but not the same as a hot shower."
Warner said the road to reopening had been a long one.
"Definitely had its bumps in the road. It's harder at the start and we've gotten used to it now, not having showers and less people at training. But I'm glad we still get to train and see each other," he said.
McIvor and Tiller said their job was an important one to keep people safe and connected.
"I just give back to community. I just love the ocean and it's good to help out people and make people feel safe," McIvor said.
Tiller said the club being open meant "everyone joining back together, get more numbers at trainings, and more connected".
Between Labour Weekend and Easter, volunteers from the lifeguard service spend thousands of hours patrolling some of New Zealand’s busiest beaches.
The club moved into its $3 million newly built headquarters on Adams Ave in 2019.
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