New Zealand Landslide Tragedy Claims Lives of Boy and Grandmother
A devastating landslide in New Zealand's North Island has claimed the lives of a 10-year-old boy and his grandmother, with authorities confirming their identities as the community mourns this heartbreaking loss.
Family Bond Cut Short by Natural Disaster
Austen Keith Richardson, aged ten, and his 71-year-old grandmother Yao Fang were buried in their home on Welcome Bay Road in Papamoa when heavy rainfall triggered a catastrophic landslide last Thursday. The pair shared an exceptionally close relationship, with Austen affectionately referring to his grandmother as "Nai Nai" – the Mandarin term for grandmother – according to an emotional statement released by his parents, Keith and Angel.
Austen had recently completed his primary education at Arataki School and was eagerly anticipating starting Year 7 at Bethlehem College this year. His parents described him as a gifted musician who loved playing piano, possessed remarkable mechanical aptitude, enjoyed building intricate Lego creations, riding motorbikes, collecting Pokémon, and solving complex mathematical equations.
Cherished Memories and Cultural Heritage
Just days before the tragedy struck, the family had created lasting memories together during a special weekend outing. "The weekend before the tragedy, we visited the Kumeu Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival before surprising him with his dream motocross bike from a mate on the way home," the family's statement revealed. "This will forever be a treasured memory."
Austen was born in Shanghai, China, before his family relocated to New Zealand when he was approximately eight months old. His parents noted that he spoke Mandarin fluently, took great pride in his Chinese heritage, and thoroughly enjoyed visiting China during family trips.
Grandmother's Legacy and Community Impact
Yao Fang had worked as an architect in China and raised her only child, Angel, as a single parent before moving to New Zealand following Austen's birth. The family described her as "a beautiful mother and grandmother, deeply caring, so generous and always prioritising looking after others ahead of herself."
Fang had embraced New Zealand's natural environment, helping the family cultivate an impressive vegetable garden, caring for their chickens, and regularly attending the Chinese Methodist Church in Greerton. "We were lucky to have Fang spend so much time with us as a family," the statement continued.
Broader Landslide Impact and Rescue Efforts
In a separate but related incident, six additional individuals – including two teenagers – are now presumed dead following another landslide at Mount Maunganui on the island's east coast. Heavy rainfall caused a massive slip at the Beachside Holiday Park located at the base of Mount Maunganui, bringing down substantial amounts of soil and rubble.
Rescue teams initially reported hearing voices beneath the debris on Thursday, but by Saturday authorities expressed that they no longer believed any of the missing individuals had survived the catastrophic event. Those still unaccounted for have been identified as:
- Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50
- Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20
- Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71
- Susan Doreen Knowles, 71
- Sharon Maccanico, 15
- Max Furse-Kee, 15
Government Response and Investigation
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon announced on Tuesday that he has called for a comprehensive independent investigation into both local and national government responses to the disaster. "There are many questions being asked, including whether there was a missed opportunity to evacuate people sooner," Luxon stated.
The Prime Minister emphasized that six families are grieving unimaginable losses and stressed the importance of learning from this tragedy. "My view, very strongly, is that there's learning here for the rest of New Zealand, there's potentially an inherent conflict between the council and the council-owned campground and importantly, the families deserve answers."
Family's Gratitude and Community Support
Austen's parents expressed their profound devastation while thanking family members, friends, the broader community, and emergency services for their overwhelming support during this difficult time. "We are absolutely devastated by the loss of our treasured son and his beloved Nai Nai," they shared. "Our thoughts are also with the other families impacted by the Mount Maunganui tragedy and what they are going through."
The dual landslide incidents have left New Zealand's North Island communities in mourning as they grapple with the sudden loss of multiple lives amid extreme weather conditions that have raised serious questions about disaster preparedness and response protocols.
