Her children were travelling to be with her in Te Anau and the family were "pretty devastated", Mrs Peacock said. Mrs Peacock was in contact with the owners and had been shown the damage to the lodge over a video call. She said Ms Onions had indicated the owners would look to rebuild the lodge. "We’re relieved that everyone — and that includes staff and guests — is safe and well," Ms Onions said in a statement. Radio New Zealand reported Ms Onions as saying all guests had been moved to local Te Anau hotels.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 01, 2026 16:25 UTC