• Rescue operations for six missing people in New Zealand's Mount Maunganui have been called off.
• Human remains have been discovered as police transition to recovery efforts.
• Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed condolences to affected families amid ongoing severe weather.
• Two additional fatalities occurred due to a separate landslide in the region.
• Concerns arise regarding evacuation protocols before the incident.

New Zealand police have officially ceased rescue operations for six individuals buried by a landslide at a campsite in Mount Maunganui, moving instead to a recovery phase after confirming the presence of human remains beneath mud and debris. The police stated that the likelihood of any survivors is "highly unlikely," as no signs of life have been detected since voices were heard during the initial response on Thursday, when the landslide occurred due to heavy rain, according to Channel News Asia, South China Morning Post, and Reuters.

Police Superintendent Tim Anderson described the situation as "heartbreaking," particularly for the families involved. Among the missing is a 15-year-old, and recovery efforts are projected to take several days as conditions remain precarious due to ongoing heavy rainfall threatening further landslides. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has visited the site, expressing that "every New Zealander is grieving" with the affected families, according to BBC News and South China Morning Post.

The landslide at Mount Maunganui has prompted public questions about evacuation procedures, as prior reports indicated risks in the area. A separate landslide in the nearby area of Tauranga resulted in additional fatalities, a development that highlights the natural dangers presented by the severe weather conditions impacting New Zealand's North Island, as indicated by Channel News Asia and Reuters.

As recovery efforts continue, authorities face challenges due to the complex nature of the debris and the safety of the rescue teams involved. Prime Minister Luxon's visit aimed to bolster community morale and encourage local efforts to assist in the recovery, reflecting the collective grief and determination of the community during this tragic situation, according to Reuters and BBC News.