Max Furse-Kee, 15, Sharon Maccanico, 15 and Susan Knowles, 71, are three of the six Mt Maunganui landslide victims. Photo: SUPPLIED

Two Auckland teenagers, a Swedish tourist and a Morrinsville teacher are among the people who remain unaccounted for following the landslide at Mt Maunganui.

At a press conference on Saturday, police said some remains of victims had been found overnight and six people were unaccounted following the slip at a popular campground.

Police released the names of those unaccounted for:

Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, from Morrinsville

In a Facebook post Morrinsville Intermediate School identified victim Lisa Anne Maclennan as one of their staff members.

“It is with great sadness that we need to inform you that one of our staff members, Lisa Maclennan (our amazing Literacy Centre tutor), is one of the people trapped in the landslide at Mount Maunganui.”

“Our love and aroha go out to Lisa’s family; we ask that you respect their privacy at this very difficult time.”

Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, from Sweden

Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, from Rotorua

Mayor of Rotorua Tania Tapsell, confirmed on social media Wheeler, known as Jackie, was from the area and was the founder of Colour Concepts, an interior design store in Rotorua.

According to the Colour Concepts website, Wheeler and her husband Terry started the business in 2002 and their daughter was now a key member of their team too.

Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, from Ngongotaha

Susan Doreen Knowles, 71, from Ngongotaha, is one of the Mt Maunganui landslide victims. Photo: SUPPLIED

Tapsell said Knowles was also from the region and had been a property manager for EVES.

According to the EVES website, Knowles had a background of management and property ownership since her early 20s.

It said she enjoyed horse riding and mountain biking along with spending time with her close-knit family.

Knowles and Wheeler were long-time friends who had been camping at the site together, friends at the scene confirmed.

Sharon Maccanico, 15, from Auckland

15-year-old Sharon Maccanico Photo: Avellino Today

Italian media reported that Sharon, was originally from a small town called Picarelli in the municipality of Avellino.

Avellino Today said the community had gathered in the town’s local church as they waited for news.

She was widely known in the small community, it said.

Max Furse-Kee, 15, from Auckland

Max Furse-Kee, 15, is one of the unaccounted for victims of the Mt Maunganui landslide. Photo: SUPPLIED

Pakuranga College identified both Max and Sharon were students at the school.

“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 school said in a Facebook post.

“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.”

Max’s mother, Hannah Furse, told people to “hug your babies, as life can change in a moment.”

The names are only of those unaccounted for and not those who had been found as the Coroner said identifying remains of victims would be a lengthy process.

Search progresses in challenging terrain

Bay of Plenty District Commander Superintendent Tim Anderson said the operation was formally handed over to police by Fire and Emergency New Zealand at 11.20am on Saturday.

“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.”

An orange wrap has been placed around the inner cordon preventing those residents allowed inside the main cordon from seeing through to the scene. Photo: RNZ / Kate Green

He said they had informed the families of the news on Saturday morning.

Anderson said emergency services were in the early stages of investigating remains of victims and would not be releasing any information on what has been found or who they believe it could be.

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

“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.

Road closed in Mt Maunganui as a massive search and rescue operation continues following a landslide. Photo: RNZ / Calvin Samuel

“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.

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

Coronial process

Responsibility for identifying the victims, along with other legal processes, was now passed to the Coroners Court and an internationally approved process for disaster victim identification (DVI) is being followed.

Chief Coroner Judge Anna Tutton reassured families and friends of victims that those who had died in the tragedy would treated with dignity but said the identification process could be “painstaking” and “complex” especially when people are severely injured

“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.

“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.”