Could the Mauao Tragedy Have Been Prevented? | Charlie Rahiri

Six lives lost. 27 years of warnings. A $12,000 report that councillors never read. How did we get here?

Our special manuhiri is Charlie Rahiri, who is now working as a Recovery Manager at Tauranga City Council and also serves as Chair of Ngāti Ranginui.

Following the devastating landslides at Mauao on 22 January 2026, we sit down with Charlie to discuss the tragedy, the recovery efforts and the questions that still need answering.

What warnings were missed, who should be held accountable, and what needs to change to prevent another tragedy?

Wearing two hats, as both a council Recovery Manager and iwi leader, Charlie shares his perspective on balancing these responsibilities, the ongoing closure of Mauao and the role of tangata whenua in protecting their maunga.

With the future of Mauao still uncertain, what lessons can councils and iwi across Aotearoa take from this tragedy? And more importantly, will those lessons lead to meaningful change?

He wānanga nui tēnei. Share your whakaaro in the comments!

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