Heartbreaking Tribute: Mother Remembers 15-Year-Old Son Lost in Mount Maunganui Landslide

The grieving mother of 15-year-old Max Furse-Kee, one of the six people presumed dead following Thursday’s devastating landslide at the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park, has paid an emotional tribute to her son, describing him as an “incredible, kind and beautiful human being” who was her “sunshine”.

In a statement released through New Zealand Police on behalf of the family, Max’s mother said: “From the moment I first looked at his beautiful blue eyes almost 16 years ago he had my whole heart. He was my sunshine.”

She went on to remember Max as a devoted big brother and a joyful young man who brought light to everyone around him. “Max was an incredible, kind, and beautiful human being,” the statement read. “He was a wonderful son, a devoted big brother, and a loving, joyful young man who brightened the lives of all who knew him.”

The family also noted that Max would have turned 16 this week — a milestone they had been eagerly anticipating celebrating together.

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File:Mount Maunganui Sunrise Aerial.jpg – Wikimedia Commons

Caption: An aerial view of Mount Maunganui, the iconic hill overlooking the popular beach and holiday park where tragedy struck on Thursday morning.

The landslide, triggered by heavy overnight rain, struck the popular campground at the base of Mauao (Mount Maunganui) around 9:30am local time on Thursday. A large section of the cliff face collapsed, burying campervans, caravans, tents, and the campground’s shower block under tonnes of earth and debris.

Police have confirmed that six people remain unaccounted for and are now presumed to have been killed in the disaster. Recovery efforts were paused on Saturday due to ongoing safety concerns, with fears of further slips making the site too unstable for search teams to continue.

The other unaccounted-for individuals are:

Sharon Maccanico, 15, also a student at Pakūranga College in Auckland and a close friend of Max’s
Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, from Morrinsville
Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, a visitor from Sweden
Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, from Rotorua
Susan Knowles, 71, from Rotorua

Max and Sharon, both Year 11 students at Pakūranga College, were on holiday together at the campground when the landslide hit. The school’s principal expressed profound sadness at the loss of two students, describing the tragedy as heartbreaking for the entire community.

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Crescent-shaped Coastline of Mount Maunganui in New Zealand …

Caption: The crescent-shaped coastline of Mount Maunganui, a beloved holiday destination that turned to tragedy this week.

Eyewitness accounts from survivors paint a picture of chaos in the moments after the slip. Campers described hearing a massive roar before the hillside gave way. One survivor credited quick-thinking actions by fellow campers, including warnings from a teacher among the group, with saving additional lives.

New video footage has emerged showing frantic rescue efforts in the immediate aftermath, with survivors climbing onto rooftops and helping others to safety amid the mud and rubble.

The Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park is a longstanding favourite for New Zealand families, especially during summer. Many of the victims, including long-time friends Susan Knowles and Jacqualine Wheeler, had been regular visitors for decades.

Police Inspector Dean Anderson described the decision to shift from rescue to recovery as “heartbreaking”, emphasising that no further survivors are expected. Geotechnical experts are assessing the site, but unstable ground and the risk of more landslides have halted operations for now.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has offered condolences to the families, calling the event a “terrible tragedy” for the nation. Community vigils have been held in Mount Maunganui and Auckland, with members of the public leaving flowers and candles at the base of the hill.

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File:Walking up Mount Maunganui 09 (5645002843).jpg – Wikimedia …

Caption: Walkers on the tracks of Mount Maunganui — the hill had shown signs of instability with smaller slips overnight before the fatal collapse.

Max’s family closed their statement with a poignant message: “Hug your loved ones tight — life can change in a moment. Love you 100%, Max.”

As the tight-knit community of Mount Maunganui mourns, tributes continue to pour in for the young teenager remembered for his kindness, his smile, and the joy he brought to his family and friends.

Recovery efforts are expected to resume when conditions allow, bringing some closure to the grieving families. For now, the scarred hillside stands as a sombre reminder of nature’s power and the fragility of life.