216 Volunteers, 5,690 Meals: The Rapid Relief Team in Action
At 6:00pm on Thursday 22 January 2026, New Zealand Police contacted the Rapid Relief Team Leader in Tauranga with an urgent request to support the response to the Mount Maunganui landslide by providing meals for police officers working at the scene. By 8:00pm that same evening, a Rapid Relief Team (RRT) unit was onsite, serving meals to those on the frontline.
What began as immediate support for Police quickly grew: From Thursday evening through to Sunday 1 February RRT remained onsite, extending care not only to officers, but also to other first responders and to the families of the victims. In total, an extraordinary 5,690 meals were served by 216 dedicated volunteers.
Their response was swift, serving meals with compassion. “…to come off the rubble pile, to where you can just have a break…..it’s not just the food…” (USAR First Responder).
This effort was made possible in large part through the remarkable generosity of New World Mount Maunganui/Foodstuffs New Zealand, who primarily covered the cost of food — an act of community partnership that made a profound difference.
The Western Bay Emergency Response Fund has contributed funding to the Rapid Relief Team to cover expenses outside of food.
Like so many others during this time, the spirit of the volunteers shone through. They gave their time freely and selflessly, many expressing that it was a privilege to serve people in their time of need. “…we’re all SO APPRECIATIVE of your beautiful natured helpers, your detail of care and love as you served us” (on-site volunteer).
