The tragic landslide in New Zealand has left an indelible mark on the families and friends of six individuals who were buried beneath tons of earth at a holiday park. As authorities have now confirmed, the chances of finding them alive are exceedingly slim, a reality that has cast a pall of sorrow over the community.
Among the victims are two students from Pakūranga College, 15-year-olds Sharon Maccanico and Max Furse-Kee, as well as Lisa Maclennan, a 50-year-old literacy coordinator. The list also includes longtime friends and fellow 71-year-olds, Jacqualine Wheeler and Susan Knowles, alongside 20-year-old Måns Loke Bernhardsson from Sweden.
Police Superintendent Tim Anderson shared the heartbreaking news that the search efforts had transitioned from a rescue mission to a recovery operation after it became evident that survival was no longer possible. "Search teams have diligently worked through the debris layer by layer, but it is now tragically clear that we will not be able to return them to their families alive," he noted during a recent press briefing. He emphasized the profound grief being experienced by the families involved, urging the public to respect their need for privacy at this painful time.
On Friday, human remains were discovered, and authorities have commenced formal identification procedures. Recovery operations resumed on Monday morning, following a temporary halt due to safety concerns regarding the stability of the site.
In a heartfelt statement released to the police, Max's mother, Hannah Furse, expressed the profound impact her son's loss has had on their family. "Our lives have changed so suddenly and so completely that we will never be the same again," she reflected. "My love for Max is something that words cannot adequately convey. From the moment I first gazed into his beautiful blue eyes nearly 16 years ago, he captured my heart completely; he was the light of my life."
Tragically, Max was set to celebrate his 16th birthday this week. "Imagining life without him feels impossible," Furse continued. "We are immensely proud of who he was and grateful that he was ours."
Max was enjoying a holiday with his classmate Sharon Maccanico, who originally hailed from the southern Italian town of Picarelli but had made Auckland her home. Furse shared, "His amazing friends and girlfriend meant everything to him, and the joy, love, and sense of belonging they provided were invaluable."
Morrinsville Intermediate School also mourned the loss of Lisa Maclennan, describing her in a social media post as a beloved tutor at their literacy center. "With great sadness, we acknowledge that Lisa was one of the victims. Our thoughts are with her family, and we kindly ask that their privacy be respected during this incredibly difficult time," stated Jenny Clark on behalf of the school.
Responses from the community painted a picture of Maclennan as a cherished individual with a "heart of gold," who had a significant positive impact on the younger members of the community.
In a show of unity and support, approximately 200 residents gathered for a vigil on Sunday evening, which was also attended by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon. "There’s a solemnness, sadness, and heaviness here in the community," he remarked, acknowledging the collective desire to find a way forward amidst the sorrow.
This landslide is just one of several disasters that hit New Zealand recently, with accompanying flooding, road closures, and power outages following a series of severe storms that swept across the North Island. In a separate incident, two people, including a Chinese national, lost their lives when a different landslide struck a home in Papamoa, south of Tauranga, on Thursday. Another victim was fatally swept away by a river near Warkworth, north of Auckland.
On Monday, Tauranga's mayor, Mahe Drysdale, announced plans for a thorough independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy, especially concerning why evacuations did not occur despite earlier warnings of potential slips in both the campsite and its vicinity. "There are legitimate questions that need answers," Drysdale told RNZ. "For the sake of the families and our community, it's vital that we ensure all safety measures were taken and that our processes move forward responsibly."
