The Tauranga community is rallying together with a series of fundraising events in April to support those affected by the tragic Mauao landslide on January 22. A star-studded charity auction and a two-day music festival featuring prominent local artists are set to raise vital funds for the families of the six people who lost their lives and for community organisations involved in the ongoing recovery effort.
The response follows an outpouring of grief and solidarity across the city, as businesses and residents seek ways to provide practical and financial support in the wake of the devastating event. These initiatives demonstrate a collective determination to heal and rebuild, channelling the region's strong community spirit into tangible action.
A plan sparked over a beer
The first major event, the Mount Landslide Charity Auction, will be held on April 11 at the Mount Mellick. The idea for the auction originated from a simple conversation between four local business figures: Mark Roy of Ray White Bayfair, Greg Bopf of Ray White Tauranga, and Mount Mellick's owner Carl Willetts and manager Sean Major. Proceeds from the evening will be directed to the families of the victims and the Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club, which was heavily impacted by the landslide.
"We felt we needed to do something to give back to the community," Mr Roy said, noting that the initiative has received overwhelming local support. "Everybody’s getting on board."
The generosity of local businesses is evident in the remarkable list of donated auction items. Prizes include a weekend away with a Land Rover Defender including an off-road experience at Red Barn, two adrenaline-fueled hot laps in an Aston Martin Vulcan at Highlands Motorsport Park, a $4000 Z Fuel voucher, and a $5000 luxury package from Wharekauhau Lodge. In addition to these high-value items, several premium hospitality packages and signed rugby jerseys from the Manly Sea Eagles, Gold Coast Titans and New Zealand Warriors teams will also go under the hammer. The evening will be complemented by performances from nine local music acts.
Des Martin, sales and brand manager for Ebbett Prestige which organised the Land Rover prize, said it was the least they could do. "Pulling together as much money on the night for the families doesn’t replace those who have gone, but hopefully it helps make decisions for them going forward a little easier," he says.
Totara Street to host two-day music festival
A few weeks later, Totara Street will become the centre of the fundraising efforts, hosting the Mauao Landslide Fundraiser. The event is split into two parts: a 'Rock and Roll Warm Up' on the evening of Friday, April 24, followed by a full-day festival on Sunday, April 26, running from noon until 11pm. All proceeds from the ticket sales will be donated to the official Tauranga Mayoral Relief Fund.
Totara Street director Jay Munro said the venue knew it “wanted to do something” within days of the landslide. He noted the incredible response from the arts community, with over 100 artists and acts volunteering to perform. While they couldn't accommodate everyone, 24 acts were selected for the final lineup, which will be spread across two stages, with DJ sets also planned for the front courtyard.
"There’s a little bit of disbelief, and it’s still kind of hard to appreciate what went down," Mr Munro says. "It’s the ones who died, their families, and the first responders I feel for the most." The lineup features a who's who of local talent, including Tiki Taane, No Reply, Dan Sharp, and The Gunsmiths. They will be joined by Damo, Danky Drops, Daughters of Ally, The John Michaelz Band, and many more, creating a powerful showcase of the Bay of Plenty's diverse music scene. The community-focused day will also feature The Burger Lab food truck, encouraging people to gather and support one another. The event is part of a wider community spirit often seen at events like the Hay Park community sport hub.
'A healing space, full of great music'
Renowned musician Tiki Taane says he saw Totara Street's callout on social media and immediately “jumped into their comments” to offer his support. He explained that providing musical services is the most effective way for local artists to contribute to the healing process.
We all want to help in some way and feel that providing our musical services while bringing the community together is the best way for us musicians to do that. Hopefully we can raise a few thousands of dollars while creating a healing space, full of great music and vibes.
The enthusiastic response from artists is a testament to Tauranga's vibrant arts scene, where creativity is fostered through initiatives like the Tauranga Library's free art programs. For generations, the power of performance has been a unifying force in the region, a spirit now being harnessed to support a community in need, a challenge also being faced by other centres like the Hamilton CBD.
Wider community and council support continues
These flagship events are part of a much broader wave of support. Shoppers at Woolworths New Zealand recently contributed over $106,000 to mayoral relief funds through a week-long in-store appeal, with the company adding another $10,000. Of this, $84,000 will be split between six mayoral funds, including Tauranga's.
Bay of Plenty MP Tom Rutherford praised the community's response as a shining example of local character. "This is what the Bay of Plenty and Mount Maunganui community does," he says. "In the most challenging and desperate times we’ve been experiencing, we all come together to support one another."
Meanwhile, official relief funds continue to be distributed. As of March 13, Tauranga's Mayoral Relief Fund, bolstered by $200,000 from the central government, had allocated $100,225 to those in need. The separate Western Bay Emergency Response Fund has directed $93,000 to local organisations, including the Mount Maunganui Surf Life Saving Club and the Rural Support Trust, with investigations into the landslide's cause also underway through the Tauranga council hiring four law firms.
Team lead Matty Nicholson confirmed the fund has a further $100,000 set aside for future needs and is a collaborative effort between the Acorn Foundation, TECT, BayTrust, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council. Mr Nicholson confirmed that fundraising efforts are ongoing, and the fund would remain active until all money is fully allocated.
