On January 22, after record rainfall and a red weather warning, six people tragically lost their lives when part of Mauao collapsed into the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park. It was a devastating day for our community.
This inquiry will look at what happened, the systems and decisions leading up to the tragedy, and what lessons must be learned. It sits alongside other investigations but is focused on ensuring a thorough, independent process.
My thoughts remain with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.
The Herald’s annual search for New Zealand’s Best Beach has seen readers voting in their thousands and we’re excited to now reveal the winners. Best Beach:
It’s two years in a row for our overall winner, and as with our 2025 results, former favourite Ōhope failed to gain a number one spot this year. One South Island beach was a category winner, and our Best Surf Beach is about to gain international attention.
This story comes slightly later than planned. Out of respect for the lives lost in the Mount Maunganui and Pāpāmoa landslides and the Northland floods, we delayed the winners announcement.
The Mount remains a firm favourite summer destination for many of our voters – it was a finalist in all four of the categories it was eligible for and was a big winner in one.
National is fixing the basics and building the future.
The Government will contract to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) import facility in a critical step to strengthen New Zealand’s energy security and support economic growth. The decision follows extensive analysis and the first stage of procurement.
New Zealand is experiencing a renewable electricity boom, but a rapidly declining gas supply has left our electricity sector exposed during dry years, when our hydro lakes run low. The result is greater reliance on coal and diesel, and ultimately higher electricity prices, putting more financial pressure on families and making businesses less competitive. Independent analysis from Sense Partners found that higher energy prices have had a significant impact on the New Zealand economy, leading to a $5.2 billion loss in GDP in 2025. For Kiwis that means fewer jobs, lower wages and a slower recovery as New Zealand emerges from a challenging period of high inflation and high interest rates.
In the last two years, the Government has taken a series of positive steps designed to improve the affordability and availability of energy, as part of our plan to fix the basics and build the future.
Building a home in New Zealand is way too expensive.
We’re fixing that by saying yes to hundreds of thousands of cheaper, high quality overseas building products.
It’s just common-sense stuff. National is fixing the basics and building the future.
I've heard from a number of parents about challenges accessing school uniforms for the start of Term 1 at Pāpāmoa College, issues like stock shortages on key items, limited shop hours, long queues, and some of the prices making it tough for working families.
I've been in touch with the Principal, who has confirmed the school is aware of the complaints and taking action.
They're meeting with Uniform Group (the supplier) to address concerns directly. Senior leadership from Auckland is already heading down to support the local shop, review operations, and bring in additional stock. They'll also look into improving shop hours and payment options as part of this. The school also continues to maintain a supply of second-hand uniforms for anyone who may need it and supports families in need wherever possible.
I'm pleased the school is responding quickly and constructively. If you're still facing issues or have specific feedback, feel free to get in touch, I’m happy to pass it on or help facilitate discussions. Thanks to the Pāpāmoa College team for their work on this, and to parents for raising it.
Pāpāmoa Hills Cultural Heritage Regional Park remains closed until further notice, but we have some good news! Work is underway on an alternative walking track around a major slip on the Maraeroa Track which connects to the summit. We hope to have this track completed in March.
We ask the community to please respect the park closure for your own safety, and the safety of our crew. There is still an extensive amount of damage within the park. And just a reminder, both Poplar Lane carparks and the Summerhill Carpark entrance are closed.
Thanks for your patience – we’re looking forward to welcoming you back soon!
Proud to spotlight fantastic news from a local success story, House of Science NZ, founded right here in the Bay of Plenty.
The Government has selected them as the supplier for the nationwide rollout of hands-on science and pūtaiao kits, delivering curriculum-aligned resources to every state and state-integrated school for Years 0–8, across New Zealand.
Plus, they’ve been named in the HundrED Global Collection 2026, one of just 100 top education innovations worldwide, out of over 3,000!
Huge congrats to Chris Duggan, the dedicated team, volunteers, and supporters. This is locally led impact making a real difference for our kids’ scientific literacy!
You can check them out here: https://houseofscience.nz/
The Government is continuing to invest in in successful major events that deliver real economic benefits to Tauranga and support local jobs and businesses.
The Zespri AIMS Games is Australasia’s largest junior sporting event, attracting more than 14,000 athletes across 27 sporting codes from over 430 schools to Tauranga. The Games champion diversity, inclusion and youth participation in sport on a global scale. It is a great local event which attracted more athletes in 2025 than the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Games is consistently a highlight of the local sporting calendar, and the Government’s investment will allow this years’ event to be bigger than ever before.
Continuing to host the Zespri AIMS Games continues to bring real economic opportunities to Tauranga.
Major events are critical for our hospitality and tourism sectors, and the economic ripple effects are huge. Local accommodation fills up, restaurants and cafés thrive, and local businesses see more customers, creating jobs and lifting incomes.
The economic return is clear. These Games and other events will help increase visitor spending, boost retail and hospitality, benefitting our local businesses and communities. Hosting more global events and concerts also shows promoters that our country is a go-to destination for events, encouraging them to bring more events to the country, firmly establishing New Zealand back into the heart of international touring plans.
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Lance Cairns hits six sixes at Melbourne Cricket Ground
13 February 1983
Lance Cairns in one-day action against England, 1978 (Adrian Murrell/Getty Images)
At 44 for 6 in reply to Australia’s 302, New Zealand was heading for an embarrassing defeat in the second final of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup when Lance Cairns took guard with his bat, ‘Excalibur’. Fast bowler Dennis Lillee welcomed him to the crease by hitting him on the head.
The burly swing bowler’s response was to swipe two sixes off three balls from Ken MacLeay. Then he despatched Rodney Hogg over long-on off two consecutive balls. When Lillee was brought back to deal with him, Cairns swatted the great man one-handed over the fine-leg boundary before flogging him over mid-off.
It was too good to last. Cairns carved a full ball from Geoff Lawson straight to cover and was dismissed for 52 from 25 balls. New Zealand lost the match by 149 runs, but those gigantic hits live on in memory.
Lance Cairns played 43 tests, taking 130 wickets at an average of 32.92. In 78 one-day internationals, he took 89 wickets at 30.52 and scored 987 runs off just 941 balls.
Joint action stops 4.2 tonnes of cocaine
New Zealand agencies have collaborated with French authorities in a major international operation that has intercepted 4.24 tonnes of cocaine in French Polynesia, Customs Minister Casey Costello announced
One year on, Fast-track is building NZ’s future
One year on from the Coalition Government’s Fast-track approvals system opening for business, New Zealand is already benefiting from faster approvals, lower costs, and real infrastructure getting underway, RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and Regional Development Minister Shane Jones say.
Tails wagging as over 1,700 pet bonds lodged
More than 1,700 pet bonds have now been lodged with Tenancy Services since the pet bond system started on 1 December 2025, Housing Minister Chris Bishop and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say.
Breakthrough in SH2 Waioweka Gorge
After three weeks of intensive work, SH2 through Waioweka Gorge will re-open to the public tomorrow Monday 9 February for single-lane controlled access, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
NZ-UAE partnership boosts advanced tech
A new Antarctic science partnership with a leading UAE university will grow New Zealand’s advanced engineering and modelling capability, supporting high-value jobs, encouraging economic growth, and enabling smarter climate risk management, Science, Innovation and Technology Minister Dr Shane Reti says.
New trans-Tasman standards agreement signed
A new agreement between Standards New Zealand and Standards Australia means improved products and opportunities for local businesses and households, Commerce and Consumer Affairs Minister Scott Simpson says.
Government funds and delivers new school in 18 months
The first new school announced by the Government is open from in Flat Bush following a blessing this morning, Education Minister Erica Stanford says.
Full steam ahead: more events set to ignite 2026
The Government is investing in a suite of events from the Bay of Islands to Tekapo, as part of its $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package.
International Convention Centre a major win for tourism and hospitality
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has welcomed the official opening of the New Zealand International Convention Centre (NZICC), the country’s largest conference, exhibition and entertainment venue, describing it as a significant milestone.
98 per cent of potholes repaired within 24 hours
Around 98 per cent of potholes on state highways are now being fixed within 24 hours of being identified each month, showing the Government’s drive to fix the basics on New Zealand’s roads is paying off, Transport Minister Chris Bishop says.
Nearly 40,000 more building products approved
Thousands more plumbing and drainage products already used widely in Australia can now be accessed easily by Kiwi tradies and do-it-yourself homeowners.
Independent review of Covid-19 monetary policy
The Government has instigated an independent review of New Zealand’s monetary policy response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Sheep farmers come to parliament to celebrate record year
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has hosted a celebratory barbecue for farmers, industry representatives and MPs to mark the upcoming National Lamb Day on 15 February.
Investment Boost driving real investment, lifting productivity
The Government’s Investment Boost is already changing investment behaviour, bringing projects forward, increasing scale, and lifting productivity across the economy, Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis says.
Kāinga Ora’s Turnaround Plan is working
One year on from the announcement of Kāinga Ora’s Turnaround Plan, the agency is getting its books back in order and improving performance – delivering lower build costs, a strong renewals programme, less rental debt, and higher tenancy satisfaction, Housing Minister Chris Bishop, and Associate Housing Minister Tama Potaka say.
Space launch limits increased to support growth
A huge increase in the number of space launches allowed from New Zealand will enable our space and advanced aviation sectors to continue their rapid growth, Space Minister Judith Collins and Environment Minister Penny Simmonds announced.
Transmission Gully accelerating to 110km/h
Transmission Gully has received the green light for a new 110 km/h speed limit for drivers travelling between Wellington and the Kāpiti Coast, says Transport Minister Chris Bishop.
Funding approved for final stretch of Eastern Busway
The final stretch of the Eastern Busway in Botany can now get underway, Transport Minister Chris Bishop and Auckland Minister Simeon Brown say.
Investment Boost driving real investment, lifting productivity
The Government’s Investment Boost is already changing investment behaviour, bringing projects forward, increasing scale, and lifting productivity across the economy, Minister for Economic Growth Nicola Willis says.
Milestone health and safety bill passes first reading
Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Brooke van Velden has welcomed the passing of the first reading of the Health and Safety at Work Amendment Bill, which will reform New Zealand’s work health and safety law and regulations.
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Thanks,
Tom.