A witness has described seeing a caravan tossed into a pool and widespread damage after a “massive” landslide destroyed parts of the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, with several people now unaccounted for.

A large slip has hit the campsite at Mount Maunganui, with fears that people are trapped. Police have confirmed emergency services are trying to find several people who may be buried.

The landslide has come down onto a building, caravans, tents and vehicles at the base of the iconic mountain.

The campsite has been evacuated, and Adams Ave is closed while emergency services work to locate anybody who remains in the area, a police spokesperson said.

A slip has hit the campsite at Mount Maunganui.

A camper Carly Motley, said when they assessed the damage this morning, there was “the massive slip coming through the walkway on the ocean side”.

“Then literally 15 minutes ago, the sirens started and we sort of ran over to the harbour side and there’s been a massive slip, so the toilet block up the top has been taken out with a number of caravans. It’s all slid right down through the hot pools... there’s been helicopters, surf life savers are over there helping, and they’re just trying to cut into the toilet block at the moment.”

“They’ve evacuated all the campers over to the Surf Life Saving Club just to take a bit of a roll call.”

An eyewitness at the scene said he could hear people screaming and was concerned some may be trapped.

He said the slip had hit tents and campervans.

Damage after a slip at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park.

People are advised to avoid the area.

Canadian tourist Dion Siluch said he was having a massage at the Mount Hot Pools this morning when “the whole room began to violently shake”.

He said it was very loud, but he and the masseuse had “no idea what was going on” so they continued the massage for about 10 minutes until someone banged on the door.

“I looked outside the window and there was a caravan in the Mount pool.

“He walked outside and began filming, capturing a campervan at the edge of a muddy pool.

“It’s a pretty big disaster.“

He and his wife and two children, 1 and 3, had been staying at the campground in a cabin for four nights. He said there was no power or water now so they were packing up to leave.

Video footage shows emergency services racing to the scene at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, with at least one building - the campsite’s ablution block - extensively damaged.

The campground’s hot pools have also been hit from behind, with a witness describing water rushing on to the road from the site.

Flooding at Mount Hot Pools. Photo / Supplied

Several witnesses are concerned people may be trapped, with screams reportedly heard from the campsite.

At least a dozen people can be seen on the roof of the damaged ablution block attempting to get inside, with a campervan and ute uplifted onto it by the slip, while a rescue helicopter has now landed at the scene.

A Mount resident said at least eight police cars and three fire trucks with sirens blaring have heading past her in Mount north down towards Mauao.

The witness estimated the slip was about 150m in length.

There were streams of water pouring out of manmade holes exposed by the slip, the eyewitness said.

Mauao closure

Mauao (Mount Maunganui) is fully closed to the public until further notice due to large slips that have made the area unsafe.

Recent severe weather has significantly destabilised the maunga, creating an ongoing risk of further slips and falling debris.

Due to the heightened risk to public safety, all tracks, access points, and surrounding areas of Mauao are closed while the considerable damage is assessed. Fencing is being installed and secured at key entry points, with signage and barriers in place at all closure points to prevent public access. Security will also be present to monitor the closure and ensure public safety.

The closure will remain in place while conditions continue to be monitored, and any necessary remediation work is undertaken.

The public is strongly advised not to enter Mauao or attempt to bypass fencing or barriers. Please respect all signs and closures, as these measures are in place for your safety.

In addition to the closure of Mauao, NZTA has also closed the State Highway 2 Eastern Link due to surface flooding. All lanes between the Sandhurst Interchange and Domain Road Interchange are currently closed.

All westbound and eastbound traffic is being diverted through Pāpāmoa, which is causing significant traffic congestion. People are advised to follow all detours and, if possible, delay travel. Those in the area are encouraged to refrain from non‑essential travel.