Mount Maunganui landslide: Who are the missing?

Saturday, 24 January 2026

A much-loved grandmother, a literacy teacher and two secondary school students are among the six missing, presumed dead, at the Mount Maunganui campground landslide.

Emergency services have confirmed a “recovery” phase is under way, after human remains - police won’t confirm how many - were found at the site overnight. A painstaking operation was ongoing to try and recover the remaining victims, with searches this afternoon making progress towards the ablutions block where some of the victims were last seen and heard.

Police have named the victims as 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, who was living in Auckland, and Max Furse-Kee, 15, from Auckland.

In a statement, Ngāti Ranginui Iwi extended its “deepest aroha and condolences to the families and loved ones of those who tragically lost their lives at Mauao and Pāpāmoa this week.

“Our hearts are heavy, and our people are deeply saddened by these events…To the grieving families, we share in your sorrow.”

Lisa Maclennan, 50

Morrinsville Intermediate School principal Jenny Clark posted on Facebook on Saturday afternoon that the school was saddened to report that Literacy Centre tutor Lisa Maclennan was among those trapped in the landslide.

“We continue to hope and pray for Lisa.”

Maclennan, also a talented costume maker, and her husband - believed to have been married in recent years - ran a performing arts company for young people in the Waikato, according to previous reporting.

The school and Board of Trustees have been contacted for comment.

Susan Knowles, 71

Susan Knowles, a grandmother and Rotorua-based property manager, was a regular Mount holidaymaker, according to Gerald van der Meer from Eves Real Estate Rotorua branch where Knowles worked. He declined to comment further.

One of the two women are believed to be one of the heroes seen by witnesses warning campers of the impending danger.

Another man who ran into the slip to save others was also credited as being a hero although it unclear if he is one of the six named by the police as missing presumed dead.

Sharon and Max, 15

Avellino Today was reporting that the small town of Picarelli, east of Naples, was praying for the safe return of 15-year-old Sharon Maccanico, who was living in Auckland.

Furse-Kee’s mother posted on social media, “Devastatingly my Max was one of the people trapped in the Mt Manganui slip on Thursday morning.

“While he is still missing and we have no definite answers we know that when we do there will be no good news. There is nothing we need so please don’t message. If there are any updates we will leave them here. Hug your babies, life can change in a moment.”

Maccanico’s social media page says she is a “dancer from Auckland, with Italian roots”. According to social media she was in a relationship with Max Furse-Kee, also from Auckland.

The pair attended Pakuranga College. The school on Saturday afternoon said it had been in contact with the pair’s families to “express our heartfelt sympathy and sorrow”.

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

Worsening conditions were expected to hamper efforts on Saturday, with wind and rain forecast. Reporters at the scene on Saturday morning said conditions were overcast and winds are strong.

A cruise ship had docked. Cordons were still up, and there were security guards guarding it, after reports of people trying to breach the scene. Mayor Mahe Drysdale had rebuked this behaviour.

On Saturday morning there was a steady stream of cars driving past, with people taking photos. A group of women laid some flowers at the cordon.

The rising and falling arm of a digger could be seen in the distance, for a period of time earlier on Saturday.

On Thursday two bodies were also recovered from a home in Welcome Bay after a slip. It’s understood they were a grandmother and a child.