Māori wardens at Mauao report abuse and poor conditions while guarding closed maunga
Wardens protecting Mount Maunganui's closed slopes since January's fatal landslide say they have been spat at, pelted with bottles and food, and forced to build their own makeshift shelter.
What happened
Ngā Wātene Māori o Mauao wardens have guarded the cordon around the closed maunga in shifts since the fatal landslide on January 22, initially deploying 12 volunteers and operating 24/7. Wardens report verbal and physical abuse from members of the public, including being spat at and having bottles and food thrown at them, alongside dangerous cordon breaches mostly by young people. They have also endured difficult working conditions, building their own makeshift shelter from tarps, metal framing, timber posts, rope and cords after their initial caravan shelter and gazebos proved inadequate. The trust receives council funding as a koha to cover fuel, meals, uniforms and wet weather gear. Tauranga City Council recovery manager Charlie Rahiri acknowledged the facilities were "not ideal" and said the council is working to repair or replace the structure. He noted that abusive behaviour was concentrated in January immediately after the slip and had since stopped. The council has reduced the wardens from seven to two at the Mount Main Beach end as a trial, citing fewer breaches of the more robust Pilot Bay fencing and more people in the area after the boat ramp and surf club reopened. Total recovery expenses exceeded $5.1 million, with $645,723 spent on ongoing security.
Why it matters
The wardens have been guarding the site since the fatal January 22 landslide that killed six people, which inquiry reports in August and September found was preventable due to decades of ignored warnings and councillor failure to read risk assessments. The Tauranga City Council chief executive resigned in late September following the damning review. The wardens' ongoing challenges reveal the continuing costs and complications of the recovery nine months after the tragedy.
Follow the whole thread: Mount Maunganui slip reactivation
Key facts
- Fatal Mauao landslide occurred January 22, 2026
- Initially 12 volunteer wardens, now reduced to two at Mount Main Beach end
- Three young men charged under Civil Defence Emergency Management Act on February 11, two fined $800
- $192,919 spent on security in initial response, $645,723 on ongoing security
- Total recovery expenses exceeded $5.1 million
What happens next
Council hopes to repair and partially reopen Mauao tracks by summer if safe.
Primary source: Tauranga City Council September 1 progress report on recovery efforts
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What outlets are saying
NZ Herald
Mauao Māori wardens spat at and pelted with bottles while guarding closed maunga
Māori Wardens have guarded the cordon since January's fatal Mount Maunganui landslide.
Newstalk ZB
Mauao Māori wardens spat at and pelted with bottles while guarding closed maunga
Māori Wardens protecting Mauao say they have been spat at, had bottles and food thrown at them and dealt with repeated cordon breaches.
1News
'We've been spat at': Wardens abused at Mauao cordon, build own shelter
Wardens say the job has brought verbal and physical abuse, dangerous breaches and difficult working conditions, including having to build their own makeshift shelter against the weather.
Stuff
Wardens spat at, pelted with bottles while guarding Mauao after fatal landslide
Those guarding the closed maunga say the job has brought abuse, dangerous breaches and difficult working conditions.