The tragic Mount Maunganui landslide in late January 2026 claimed the lives of six people, including two inseparable 15-year-old students from Pakuranga College in Auckland: Sharon Maccanico and her boyfriend, Max Furse-Kee. The incident, triggered by intense rainfall, sent a massive slip crashing into the Mount Maunganui Beachside Holiday Park around 9:30 a.m. on January 22, burying cabins, campervan sites, a toilet block, and damaging nearby facilities like the Mount Hot Pools.

Sharon Maccanico, originally from Italy and having moved to New Zealand at age 8, was formally identified by Coroner Louella Dunn at a Tauranga District Court hearing on January 30. Her parents, Natallia and Carmine Maccanico, released a heartfelt statement expressing their profound grief: “Our hearts are broken following the passing of our beautiful daughter.” They described Sharon as someone who “made so many people happy and touched so many lives,” highlighting her joyful spirit and the deep love she shared with Max, whom they called “the love of her life.” Sharon was wearing a silver bracelet inscribed with “Max” at the time of her death, which aided in her identification alongside other personal items and forensic evidence. Her body was recovered on January 28 after being located days earlier amid the debris.

Max Furse-Kee was identified earlier in the process, with his mother, Hannah Furse, sharing her devastation in public tributes. She poignantly noted that he “simply went to take a shower, in the wrong place at the wrong time,” underscoring the sudden, unforeseeable nature of the tragedy. Despite the unimaginable loss, the family found some small comfort in knowing Max spent his final days with Sharon and her family, who embraced him warmly. “We take great comfort in knowing that Max spent his final days with Sharon, someone he loved so deeply, and with her family, who loved him too,” Hannah said. Max was remembered as a source of “light, laughter, and love,” with his life described as impactful despite its brevity.

The couple, both Year 10 students at Pakuranga College, were holidaying together at the campground—Sharon with her family and Max joining them—when the disaster struck. Their relationship was evident in social media posts and tributes, where they frequently appeared together, radiating youthful affection. Pakuranga College issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the loss of the two students, noting the profound impact on the school community as the new school year approached. The college emphasized support for students and staff, with parents receiving guidance on helping children process the grief.

The landslide was part of broader severe weather events in New Zealand that month, including heavy rains that saturated hillsides and increased landslide risks. The six victims included:

Sharon Maccanico, 15 (Auckland)
Max Furse-Kee, 15 (Auckland)
Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50 (Morrinsville, a teacher who had reportedly warned others about potential dangers)
Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20 (Sweden)
Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71 (Rotorua)
Susan Doreen Knowles, 71 (Ngongotahā)

Recovery operations, involving police, firefighters, and specialist urban search and rescue teams, faced hazardous conditions due to unstable terrain and ongoing weather threats. All bodies were eventually located and formally identified by early February, with police standing down the recovery phase on February 1 after 11 days of intensive efforts.

This tragedy has prompted widespread mourning and calls for reflection on natural disaster preparedness. Tauranga City Council voted for an independent external review to examine potential “missed opportunities” in risk assessment and warnings for the area around Mauao (Mount Maunganui). Experts have linked such events to intensifying climate-driven storms, raising concerns about future vulnerabilities in coastal and hilly regions.

Community responses have included memorial gatherings, tributes at the site, and online condolences. Schools, sports clubs (like Pakuranga United Rugby Club, where Max played), and families have shared memories emphasizing the victims’ warmth and the irreplaceable voids left behind.

In the aftermath, support services have been highlighted for those grieving, including counseling through schools and national helplines. The story of Sharon and Max—a young couple whose lives were cut short while enjoying a holiday—serves as a heartbreaking reminder of life’s fragility amid nature’s unpredictability. Their inseparability in life extended tragically into death, leaving families, friends, and a wider community to navigate profound loss.