Mauao landslide study delivered to councillors; rockfall data still pending

A new landslide risk assessment for Mount Maunganui's Mauao has been delivered to councillors, but no decisions have been made on the future of council facilities at its base, which remain closed. The assessment found Mauao remains an active landslide environment, with risk reduction measures likely required before affected areas can be reused. A separate rockfall study was commissioned because of insufficient data, with results expected in about six weeks. Councillors adopted a one-in-10,000-year risk tolerance benchmark for individual death. The campground and hot pools were identified as highest-risk locations, and a recovery working group will now investigate mitigation options.