Seven months on, Mount businesses need answers

"The review into the Mauao landslide has answered important questions about what happened leading up to the January slips, Mount Maunganui businesses still don't know what happens next," says ACT MP Cameron Luxton.

“I hope this report provides some answers for the families of those who died. It sets out the events leading up to that terrible day and shows there were failures over a long period of time.

“The Council had reports raising concerns about stability going back 25 years, including geotechnical advice in 2023 and 2025. Yet there was no plan in place that could have kept people safe.

“The Council has accepted the report’s ten recommendations. That is a good start, but this report is not the final chapter.

“Seven months later, businesses around the Mount are still waiting. They have lost trade, some are barely hanging on, and some have closed. Locals have also gone seven months without access to Mauao.

"Council says Summit track is finished, but there is still work left to do. We want to know what work is left to do, who is responsible for doing it, what the timeframe decisions are, and when we will all start getting certainty.

“I called for a timeframe in March. It is now August and the answer to the question ‘when?’ seems to be getting less clear.

“There is also more to come on accountability. Police, WorkSafe and the Coroner are still investigating. We would expect Council to receive the same treatment as private businesses do.

“People understand Mauao cannot reopen until it is safe. What we need is more light on a plan for getting access back.

“To New Zealanders beyond our community: The mountain may be closed, but Mount Maunganui is open. Our beaches and businesses are as incredible as ever, come and experience everything the Mount has to offer.”