The Mount Maunganui community is coming together this weekend for a charity auction to support those affected by the fatal Mauao landslide in January.
The Mount Strong Mount Landslide Charity Auction will be held this Saturday at the Mount Mellick, starting at 11am. The event, which requires no tickets for entry, aims to raise money for the families of the six people who lost their lives on January 22 and to provide financial assistance to the Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service, which has been unable to access its building since the disaster.
Organised by a team including Mark Roy of Ray White Bayfair, Greg Bopf of Ray White Tauranga, and Mount Mellick’s owner Carl Willetts and manager Sean Major, the event will feature live music, food and beverages, and a wide array of auction items donated by local and national businesses.
Mr Roy said the support from the local community has been “overwhelming,” with many businesses eager to get involved. He encouraged everyone to attend the event to show their support. In addition to the auction, lifeguards will be collecting donations, and commemorative T-shirts will be available for purchase.
High-value items up for grabs
A host of impressive items will go under the hammer, with Ray White auctioneer Wayne Olver conducting proceedings across three sessions. The highlight of the auction is expected to be two laps in the only Aston Martin Vulcan in the Southern Hemisphere, a donation from Highlands Motorsport Park in Cromwell.
The $4.2 million supercar is one of just 24 in existence and is likely to draw significant interest. Mr Roy says this premium item is “bound to attract plenty of interest”.
Other major items include a Land Rover Defender weekend complete with an off-road experience, a $4000 fuel voucher from Z Energy, and a luxury package from Wharekauhau Country Estate valued at $5000, which includes dinner and accommodation. Sports fans will have the chance to bid on a cricket bat signed by West Indies legend Chris Gayle, signed boxing gloves from Joseph Parker, and signed jerseys from the All Blacks, Warriors, Chiefs, and other teams.
The auction also features a wide range of other goods and services, including a full-house water filtration system, accommodation packages, restaurant vouchers, and original artworks, demonstrating the broad base of support from the business community.
Community healing and club's future
Mount Maunganui Lifeguard Service president Russell Reardon said the event is an important milestone for the community as it continues to recover from the tragedy. He sees the auction as a way to pay respect to the victims and begin the process of healing.
We want to encourage people to come along, enjoy the occasion, and contribute where they can – even if they just enjoy the occasion. The community as a whole needed to heal, and the auction was a good step in that direction. The funds raised will be crucial for the lifeguard service, which is currently operating without any income. Its headquarters on Adams Avenue was evacuated and red-placarded following the landslide due to the ongoing risk of further slips. The club has been forced to relocate its essential rescue equipment to a shipping container and a Portacom near Main Beach, far from its usual base of operations. The community response is reminiscent of other local fundraising efforts following crises, demonstrating a strong spirit of collective support, similar to the recent efforts in Auckland where Luxon and Brown signed a 'landmark' City Deal.
Mr Reardon confirmed there had been no new developments regarding their building. “We’re still waiting,” he said, referring to the results of geotechnical assessments which are expected at the end of June. The club's future remains uncertain until those reports are delivered, making the community's financial support more vital than ever.
The long road to recovery
The January 22 landslide, which occurred at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, sent shockwaves through the tight-knit coastal community. An independent review, led by a former judge, has been established by the Tauranga City Council to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly event. The incident has left a deep scar, and events like the Mount Strong auction represent the community’s determination to support one another through the difficult recovery process.
The displacement of the surf club, a cornerstone of beach safety in the area for decades, highlights the landslide's continuing impact. The club's predicament is a constant reminder of the fragility of the coastal environment and the challenges that lie ahead. The service provides essential life-saving patrols on one of New Zealand's busiest beaches, and its ability to operate effectively is a major concern for local residents and visitors alike. The community response is reminiscent of other local fundraising efforts following crises, demonstrating a strong spirit of collective support.
As investigations continue and the community awaits crucial geotechnical reports, fundraising efforts provide a practical way for people to help. More information about how to support the surf life saving club can be found on the Surf Life Saving New Zealand website.
Mr Reardon hopes for a large turnout on Saturday, not just for the fundraising, but for the shared sense of community. “If people are out and about, and they’re looking for something to do, we’d love to see a lot of people at the auction,” he said.
