Sharon Maccanico was a pupil at Pakuranga College. Photo supplied
Two of the confirmed victims of the devastating landslide at Mount Maunganui in the Bay of Plenty on Thursday attended Pakuranga College in east Auckland.

The school has posted a statement online this afternoon saying it is with “deep sadness” it shares the passing of two of its pupils, Max Furse-Kee and Sharon Maccanico, who were both 15 years old.

“The college has been in contact with both families to express our heartfelt sympathy and aroha.

“Many members of the college have been deeply impacted by the news and we are working to support students and staff in the coming days and weeks.

“The wellbeing of our college community is paramount as the school year starts next week under incredibly sad circumstances.

“Parents have received an email this afternoon with advice and information for supporting their child/ren as they process this distressing event. Arohanui x.”

Pakuranga College principal Billy Merchant told the Times the school is “deeply saddened by the sudden loss of two of our students in this tragedy”.

“I have been in contact with both families to express our heartfelt sympathy and aroha and I know members of the college community are carrying them in their thoughts.

“The college is putting together an emergency response team to support our students and staff in the coming days and weeks.

“The wellbeing of our college community is of huge importance to us as the school year starts under these incredibly sad circumstances.”

Auckland deputy mayor Desley Simpson told the Times: “Our hearts go out to all those affected by the tragic event in Mount Maunganui.

“As many families are preparing for the new school year, the Pakuranga College community will be missing two of their students.

“The mayor [Wayne Brown] and I send our deepest condolences and know the school will be doing all it can to assist students and their families to process this utterly tragic loss.”

In a statement issued today, January 24, police say the search for victims of Thursday’s landslide at Mount Maunganui is now moving into a recovery phase.

Bay of Plenty District Commander, Superintendent Tim Anderson, says the operation was formally handed over to police by Fire and Emergency NZ at 11.20am today.

“Every single person involved in this operation has been focused solely on saving the lives of the people under the slip.

“Search teams have been working through the slip layer by layer, but tragically it is now apparent that we will not be able to bring them home alive.

“This is heartbreaking news for the families and the dozens of people who have been working day and night, hoping for a positive outcome.

“We informed the families of this news this morning and we’re continuing to provide them with wrap around support.

“They are going through something very few people could understand, and we ask that they be given space to grieve.”

Police can confirm the names of the six individuals that are unaccounted for. They are:

Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, from Morrinsville

Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, from Sweden

Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, from Rotorua

Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, from Ngongotaha

Sharon Maccanico, 15, from Auckland

Max Furse-Kee, 15, from Auckland

Anderson says search teams have located human remains under the slip and formal identification is proceeding.

“I urge people to remember that we are in the early stages of the investigation and, out of respect for the victims, the families, and the Coronial process, we will not be going into detail about what we have found or who we believe it could be.

“This afternoon, search teams, supported by contractors and machinery, are continuing to work through the debris, towards the amenities block.

“It’s taken two days to get to this point, but they’re getting closer.

“From what we have seen, the building suffered catastrophic damage and we are confronted with the reality that it is highly unlikely anyone would have been able to survive.

“The material that slipped from the mountain is sodden. It’s heavy and hit with massive force.

“The impact, movement and weight means this is an incredibly challenging scene to work through, and those involved are doing their jobs admirably and respectfully.

“The welfare of those on the search ground is of utmost importance and we’re offering them support if they need it.”

Responsibility for identifying the victims, along with other legal processes, now passes to the Coroners Court.

An internationally approved process for disaster victim identification (DVI) is being followed.

“I am deeply saddened by the news of the deaths during these weather events,” says Chief Coroner Judge Anna Tutton.

“I want to reassure families and friends that the people you love, who have died in this tragedy, will be cared for and treated with dignity and respect as we work through the necessary processes.

“Victims will be transported to the Hamilton mortuary, where any post-mortem examinations required will be performed, and, with the assistance of police and other specialists, coroners will determine the identity of the victims.

“In circumstances like this, identification can be a painstaking, complex process, especially when people are severely injured – and that process takes time.

“I can’t say how long the identification process will take – but I give my absolute assurance that we will work very carefully – and as quickly as we can – to reunite families.”