Tauranga City Council Mayor, Mahé Drysdale, has announced the appointment of Paul Davison KC as the independent reviewer to undertake Council’s review of the tragic Mount Maunganui landslide on 22 January.
Mayor Drysdale says the appointment reflects Council’s commitment to a truly independent, robust and transparent review process.
“Mr Davison’s independence, extensive experience, and reputation for rigorous analysis, gives me and the Councillors full trust and confidence in the integrity of the review, and we expect his appointment will offer assurance to our community as well.”
Mr Davison is a retired judge of the High Court who also sat as a member of a Divisional Court of Appeal. He retired from the High Court in 2023 and has since resumed practice at the Bar as a mediator, arbitrator, and provider of litigation and consultancy advice.
The external review will consider:
- the facts, timeline and decision-making processes in the lead up to the landslide at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park
- the adequacy of risk assessments and monitoring systems
- any lessons or improvements needed to strengthen future safety.
Mayor Mahé says while the Terms of Reference are focused on the immediate period in the lead up to the landslide, the scope allows all relevant information to be considered, within any timeframe, if Mr Davison believes it is appropriate.
“Mr Davison’s professional reputation gives us confidence in granting him the scope and flexibility to examine all matters he considers relevant to the landslide, including accessing independent experts where required,” said the Mayor.
“Now that the Terms of Reference are confirmed and Mr Davison has been appointed, the Council’s responsibility is to step back and focus on providing any information or documents needed to enable Mr Davison to do his job. We look forward to receiving his completed review.”
Council’s external review is separate from any other reviews, investigations, or inquiries that may be undertaken by central government or associated agencies.
“As governors we need to understand the facts and circumstances in the lead up to this tragic event, in a timely way. However, our review will be complementary to any other inquiry or investigation and we are committed to working closely with central government to ensure minimal duplication and ongoing Council cooperation in their recently announced Government Inquiry.”
Mr Davidson has appeared as counsel before several major commissions of inquiry, notably including the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Air New Zealand DC‑10 accident at Mt Erebus.
Last year, he also undertook the government-appointed role of Independent Arbiter responsible for determining financial redress for survivors of the Lake Alice Psychiatric Hospital Child and Adolescent Unit.
The external review is expected to be completed by the middle of this year.
The full Terms of Reference for the external review can be found on the Tauranga City Council website: External review of Mount Beachside Holiday Park landslide – Tauranga City Council.
