Emergency Management and Recovery Associate Minister Chris Penk said in a statement that the Government recognised it was important to find out exactly what happened, for the families and public.
The inquiry would establish how the tragic events occurred, report on whether relevant agencies took the appropriate steps to manage any apparent risks in the period immediately prior to the landslides and identify any lessons that could reduce the risk of similar tragedies in the future.
The eight people killed in the January 22 Tauranga landslides. Top row from left: Sharon Maccanico and Max Furse-Kee, both 15; Susan (Sue) Doreen Knowles and Jacqualine (Jackie) Wheeler, both 71. Bottom row from left: Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20 and Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, Yao Fang, 71 and her grandson Austen Keith Richardson, 10.
It 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 from 2004 to 2010, and Chief Science Adviser prior to that.
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 recently chaired the Ministerial Advisory Group on Transnational, Serious, Organised Crime, and was the lead lawyer for WorkSafe New Zealand during proceedings after the 2019 Whakaari/White Island volcanic eruption.
The terms said the scope of the inquiry was directed around the two landslide sites and the material causes of the landslides.
This included the topography, geology of the affected slopes and runout areas; impact from severe storms and previous significant weather events; and any changes to vegetation cover or land use near the landslides.
The Welcome Bay Rd landslide. Photo / Michael Craig
The knowledge relevant agencies had about landslide risk in the area, including any lessons learned from previous events, would be examined.
The inquiry 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 physical assessments at the site.
It would look at the powers and responsibilities of agencies and individuals, including those to warn or evacuate people before the landslides.
Matters “outside the scope” of the inquiry included assessing the rescue and recovery activities.
Assessment of legislative, administrative, and policy settings would be limited to where the inquiry considered these to be a “material cause” of the landslides.
Rescue and recovery efforts after the landslides, including at Mauao, are outside the scope of the Government inquiry. Photo / Anna Heath
It would not repeat the work of the Government inquiry into the Response to the North Island Severe Weather Events, which started in 2023.
The inquiry could not find anyone legally liable, but could make findings of fault or recommend actions to determine liability.
Recommendations could also include practicable steps or systemic improvements for agencies to minimise the risk of future similar circumstances.
It would also make recommendations about whether there were sufficient powers and authorities in place 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.
Emergency Management and Recovery Associate Minister Chris Penk. Photo / Mark Mitchell
“It is my expectation that this engagement will be conducted with respect and sensitivity, and that the work will proceed as efficiently as possible.”
Tauranga Moana iwi would also be communicated with directly about the process.
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.
The Tauranga City Council and WorkSafe were also conducting inquiries into the Mauao event.
The council’s review, conducted by independent reviewer Paul Davidson, KC, was expected to be completed by the middle of this year. It would focus on what happened leading up to the slip.
WorkSafe’s investigation, focusing on work‑related matters prior to the landslide, could take up to 12 months from the date of the incident.
Police and the Coroner are also investigating.
– LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
Ayla Yeoman is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based in Tauranga. She holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in communications, politics and international relations from the University of Auckland, and has been a journalist since 2022.