Source: New Zealand Police
Police would like to urgently correct the earlier statement issued on behalf of Nils and Anders.
It should read: “Måns was artistic, which was one of the many things we loved about him.”
Police unreservedly apologise for the error, and thank the family for their understanding.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Radio New Zealand
A community vigil is being held in Tauranga on Thursday evening to honour those missing and the lives lost following the landslide at Mount Maunganui.
Hosted by the Tauranga City Council, the vigil is a time for the community to “come together in aroha – to support one another”, as well as say thank you to the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue working to return loved ones to their families.
The vigil will take place from 7pm at Coronation Park with a karakia at 8pm. The event is expected to conclude around 9pm.
“Our community is grieving deeply. This is a time for us to come together with compassion, to honour the lives lost, and to wrap support around those who have been affected,” says Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale.
“There is no right way to grieve – some may come to reflect in silence, others to stand alongside neighbours and whānau. However people choose to take part, they are welcome.
“This is a gathering of the community, where we can stand in solidarity with the families affected by this terrible tragedy. We come together to say thank you to all the emergency response workers and volunteers who continue to work tirelessly to return loved ones to their families.”
A free park and ride service is running from Kawaka St to Maunganui Rd.
Flowers, notes and signs left near the site of the landslide-struck campground. RNZ/Nick Monro
One of the victims of the deadly Mount Maunganui landslide was formally identified as Max Furse-Kee, on what would have been his 16th birthday.
At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court on Wednesday evening, deputy chief coroner Brigitte Windley formally identified Furse-Kee after hearing evidence provided by Senior Constable Robert Stokes.
Max Furse-Kee one of the six victims of the Mount Maunganui landslide. Supplied
Stokes told the court his body was found on Monday, and detailed the forensic dental examination which determined his identity.
Furse-Kee’s body will now be released to his family.
On Thursday, another victim of the fatal landslide was formally identified as Måns Loke Bernhardsson, from Sweden.
At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court this evening, coroner Louella Dunn formally identified the 20-year-old tourist.
The remaining victims of the landslide have been named as Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, and Sharon Maccanico, 15.
Only Furse-Kee and Bernhardsson have been formally identified.
Fundraising pages set up for some of the Mount Maunganui landslide victims’ families have raised thousands of dollars, with donors paying heartfelt tribute to those trapped by last week’s massive slip.
A Givealittle page set up by Maclennan’s sister had raised almost $13,000 within 13 hours for the Morrinsville teacher’s family.
Lisa Maclennan, 50, is one of six victims of a landslide at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. Supplied / Givealittle
“She lost her life trying to save everyone else,” the page said.
“We cannot put a value on the loss of a loved one but any donations will make a difference and help this whanau through this extremely difficult time.”
A separate page has also been set up “In Loving Memory” of Furse-Kee, with $35,435 donated to the teenager’s family in less than 15 hours.
On Monday evening, about 100 people gathered at Auckland Domain to remember Maccanico, another Pakuranga College student and landslide victim.
Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui following the deadly slip were paused for a second time.
In a statement, police said work was temporarily suspended just after 10.30am on Thursday.
Recovery efforts resumed at 2pm, police said.
Work resumes at Mount Maunganui landslide on 26 January. RNZ/Nick Monro
It comes a week after the slip occurred, burying six people.
Technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered and work suspended.
Detective Inspector Lew Warner said the safety of all staff working at the scene is front of mind.
Tauranga City Council has announced an independent review into the events leading up to Thursday’s landslide at the base of Mauao, as local iwi Ngāi Te Rangi say they are seeking a thorough investigation into the cause of the slip.
Drysdale and council chief executive Marty Grenfell confirmed the review last Friday, describing the landslide as an incident of “local, national and international importance”.
“The landslide and its impacts on those affected and their families clearly represents a serious and significant incident,” Drysdale said.
“It is important that we have a clear and accurate understanding of the facts and events leading up to the landslide, so that we can ensure that the future safety of the community is appropriately safeguarded.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ / REECE BAKER
A man has been charged with murder following the death of a woman in Pukehina in the Bay of Plenty.
The woman’s body was discovered on New Year’s day in a house in the rural area.
A 50-year-old man who was initially charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship has now been charged with murder.
Police say their enquiries are ongoing and they are asking people with information to come forward.
A second person was found dead on the property a day after the woman.
The police say the man’s death is being classed as unexplained and their enquiries are ongoing.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: New Zealand Police
A statement on behalf of Nils and Anders, dad and uncle of Måns Loke Bernhardsson:
Måns was a super kind and loveable member of our family.
Back home in Sweden, he had many friends and was loved by all those friends and family very deeply.
He was a fantastic artist and was extremely talented. Måns was autistic, which was one of the many things we loved about him.
He was incredibly athletic and loved downhill skiing and gymnastics.
Måns was on holiday in New Zealand on what was a ‘hastily’ booked trip with two of his friends.
Him and his friends were adventuring around in their campervan, travelling both the North and South Islands.
He loved New Zealand, and often told us that he would like to stay here as long as possible.
Our hearts are broken, and we are going to miss Måns dearly. He was a cherished member of our family and it is going to be difficult to get used to not having him around.
We have received overwhelming support from community, officials, local iwi, and people back home. We are very grateful for their support through this difficult time and we want to express our gratitude.
Note to media: The family will not be providing further comment and ask that their privacy be respected as they grieve.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
Another victim of the fatal Mount Maunganui landslide has been formally identified as Måns Loke Bernhardsson, from Sweden.
Six people died in the Mauao slip last Thursday.
At an identification hearing at Tauranga District Court this evening, coroner Louella Dunn formally identified the 20 year old tourist.
Detective Sergeant Brent Griffiths told the court the body was found on Saturday, and forensic dental examination and DNA had determined his identity.
On Wednesday, the first victim was formally identified as Max Furse-Kee. His identity was released on the same day he would have turned 16.
Rescue efforts at Mount Maunganui have resumed after being paused for a second time when technology that had been installed to monitor land movement was triggered.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
Source: Radio New Zealand
Wellington Water says crews are working to fix a burst water pipe on Oriental Parade in Wellington. Supplied / Wellington Water
A burst water pipe has sent silt and discoloured water into Wellington’s Oriental Bay on Thursday afternoon.
At 2.30pm crews responded to a burst drinking water pipe on Oriental Parade.
Following the pipe breakage silt and discoloured water entered the stormwater system – causing it to flow into the harbour.
Welllington Water said the material was quickly contained.
The team was using a sucker truck to clean out sumps in the area to prevent further discharge, it said.
At 5.25pm, Wellington Water said the fault had been located towards the side of the road which meant that there were no traffic issues.
It expected work to repair the pipe would take several hours.
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Source: New Zealand Police
One lane is now open and traffic management is in place following a two-vehicle crash between Hamner Springs Road and Leslie Hills Road.
Motorists are advised to avoid the area where possible and expect delays.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre.
Source: New Zealand Police
Attributable to Investigations Manager Tauranga, Detective Senior Sergeant Mike Varnam:
A man has been charged with murder after the death of a woman in Pukehina on New Year’s Day.
Police were called to the Old Coach Road property about 3pm on 1 January, where a woman was found deceased.
A 50-year-old man was initially charged with assaulting a person in a family relationship, however he now faces a charge of murder. He is due to appear in Tauranga District Court tomorrow.
Police enquiries are ongoing, and we ask anyone with information about what happened to contact Police through 105, either online or over the phone, and reference file number 260101/9901.
Reports can also be made anonymously through Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111.
ENDS
Issued by Police Media Centre
Source: Radio New Zealand
Getting immunised with two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine (after the age of 12 months) is the best form of protection against measles. Sherry Yates/123RF
There is a new measles case in Tauranga which is likely linked to overseas travel.
Heath NZ says the patient is believed to have contracted the disease overseas and was not thought to be infectious on their flight to New Zealand.
National Public Health Service clinical director Dr William Rainger said the person was working with health officials to identify anyone they may have been in contact with while infectious.
The person’s early symptoms started on 21 January, he said.
So far two locations of interest have been listed for Wednesday 21 January: The General Cafe in Mt Maunganui from 7.30am-3.30pm and Pak N Save Cameron Road, Tauranga from 4.15pm to 7.15pm.
Measles symptoms include:
Dr Rainger said it was a highly infectious disease which could affect all age groups.
“If you have symptoms of measles, please phone ahead before visiting your doctor or healthcare provider so they can take precautions to prevent measles spreading,” he said in a statement.
“Getting immunised with two doses of the Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) vaccine (after the age of 12 months) is the best form of protection against measles. ”
The Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccine is very effective in preventing measles – and it is free in New Zealand for all children under 18, regardless of immigration status, and for adults 18 years old and over who are eligible for publicly funded healthcare, that includes all citizens and permanent residents.
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Source: Radio New Zealand
Flooding in the Helena Bay – Ōakura area of Northland on 18 January 2026. Screengrab from video – supplied
The Whangārei District Council has announced an emergency recovery fund for residents affected by last week’s severe weather.
Mayor Ken Couper said flood-affected residents would be supported with small grants of $1000 or $2000.
“The community spirit in the area has been nothing short of inspiring. It’s important to us that you’re not left out of pocket,” Couper said in a written statement.
“It’s been a really tough time for many in these communities and the emergency recovery fund is a small but vital part of the response.”
Community and non-profit organisations, marae and small businesses in the Hikurangi-Coastal Ward that had suffered extreme hardship would also be eligible.
Couper said the fund was around $130,000 in total and was made up from contributions from NEMA and the council itself.
The government has also announced that it will make Civil Defence payments available for people affected by last week’s weather events, in specific areas.
The payments would be for people based in Rawhiti, Ngaiotonga, Bland Bay (Whangaruru North), Punaruku, Ōakura (Whangaruru South), Mokau, Helena Bay, Mimiwhangata, Whananaki, Waioweka Gorge, Hicks Bay, and Te Araroa.
The payments would vary depending on someone’s circumstances and what they were paying for.
For example, a single person needing support for food, clothing, or bedding could receive a maximum of $400 and a couple or sole parent with three or more children could get up to $1100.
The payments could be used to help pay for some types of accommodation and assist with lost income.
The government had also provided $1.2 million towards Mayoral Relief Funds and a further $1m to reimburse marae that provided shelter and support.
It had stood up a Temporary Accommodation Service, and sent motorhomes to remote and isolated communities.
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