• Several people, including children, are reportedly missing after a landslide at a Mount Maunganui campsite.
• Heavy rains have caused widespread damage across New Zealand's North Island, leaving thousands without power.
• Rescue operations are ongoing, despite concerns about further landslides affecting the safety of the rescue teams.

Rescue operations in New Zealand are ramping up following a landslide that occurred at a campsite in Mount Maunganui, where heavy rains have left several people, including children, missing. The landslide struck on Thursday morning, sending debris down onto the campsite, which was bustling with families enjoying summer holidays. Authorities have reported that as many as nine individuals could be unaccounted for as rescue efforts continue amidst dangerous conditions, according to channelnewsasia and Al Jazeera.

Emergency services have faced significant challenges due to the ongoing risk of additional landslides. This has limited their capacity to safely search through the rubble as they attempt to locate any survivors. One official noted, “It is possible that we could find someone alive," emphasizing the urgency and hope in the search and rescue efforts, according to South China Morning Post and channelnewsasia.

Rescue crews have been deployed, including helicopters, as rescuers try to navigate the difficult terrain. Reports indicated that locals heard voices in the wreckage, but crews had to withdraw due to stabilizing concerns, underscoring the precarious situation in the area. Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell highlighted the swift response of local authorities and mentioned that evacuations had taken place in affected regions, as heavy rainfall continues to pose a threat, according to Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

The New Zealand Transport Authority has reported several road closures, complicating efforts for both rescue personnel and residents in the hardest-hit areas. As thousands remain without power and communities are left isolated, a local mayor expressed the emotional toll on families awaiting news of their loved ones, reflecting the urgency and tension felt throughout the recovery efforts, according to channelnewsasia and Al Jazeera.