Source: Radio New Zealand
Six people died in the Mount Maunganui landslide. RNZ / Kim Baker Wilson
A third investigation has been announced into the Mount Maunganui landslide, with WorkSafe launching an official investigation into work health and safety at Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park in the lead up to the landslide on 22 January.
The health and safety investigation was independent from both the government inquiry and the Tauranga City Council’s external review.
Retired High Court judgePaul Davison, KC, was leading an external review for Tauranga City Council into the deadly landslip.
The Prime Minister had also appointed National Party Minister Chris Penk to advise Cabinet on the possible scope of an inquiry into the fatal disaster.
WorkSafe’s central regional manager Nigel Formosa said the agency had taken time to be clear about what sat within their remit.
“Our investigation will focus on work‑related matters prior to the landslide,” he said.
WorkSafe would establish whether there had been a breach of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015 by businesses and organisations related to the operation of the holiday park. This would include technical expertise and gathering information from a range of sources.
“Our team is focused on understanding the decisions and circumstances that shaped the work environment at the holiday park before the landslide. We’re committed to carrying out a careful, methodical investigation that stays grounded in evidence and the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, for the victims and their whānau. This will take time, but it’s important we complete a thorough investigation,” Formosa said.
WorkSafe said it had already started to engage with Tauranga City Council as the operator of the holiday park. The roles of other parties would also be considered in the coming months.
WorkSafe investigations could take up to 12 months from the date of an incident. Given the amount of information and technical expertise involved, the agency said it expected the investigation to take a full year.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
