Two people killed in a devastating landslide in New Zealand have been identified as a grandmother and grandson.
Austen Keith Richardson, 10, and Yao Fang, 71, died in the tragic incident on Welcome Bay Road at Pāpāmoa, on the North Island, at 4am on January 22.
The slip destroyed several homes and seriously injured one other person, with dramatic footage captured by the New Zealand Herald showing properties submerged in mud.
Another landslide struck 30 minutes away at a Mount Maunganui holiday park, trapping six people, with authorities confirming they are unlikely to be found alive.
Austen’s parents Keith and Angel released a statement, saying their son and his grandmother shared an exceptionally close bond.
‘Austen and his grandmother had an incredibly close relationship – with Austen affectionately calling her Nai Nai,’ they said.
Just days before the tragedy, the family made a treasured memory together.
‘The weekend before the tragedy, we visited the Kumeū Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival before surprising him [Austen] with his dream motocross bike from a mate on the way home,’ Keith and Angel said.
‘This will forever be a treasured memory.’
Austen was born in Shanghai before the family returned to New Zealand when he was eight months old.
‘Since Austen was born, Ms Fang has spent extended periods of time with us in New Zealand,’ his parents said.
He had recently finished at Arataki School, thriving in the Montessori class that his parents said ‘perfectly suited his personality’.
He had been accepted into Bethlehem College and was preparing to start Year 7.
Austen was described as a gifted young musician who adored Lego, motorbikes, Pokémon and mathematics.
The family had also recently attended the Annual Honda Kids Camp at Lake Rotoiti, a highlight for Austen, who loved reuniting with old friends and making new ones.
Fluent in Mandarin and proud of his Chinese heritage, Austen cherished trips back to China.
‘Austen spoke Mandarin fluently, was proud of his Chinese heritage and loved visiting China on our trips back,’ his parents said.
They also reflected on the deep love and stability Ms Fang brought into their lives.
‘She was a beautiful mother and grandmother, deeply caring, so generous and always prioritising looking after others ahead of herself.’
Ms Fang had worked as an architect in China while raising Angel as a solo parent.
In New Zealand, she embraced the outdoors, tending a flourishing vegetable garden, caring for the family’s chickens and joining them at the Chinese Methodist Church in Greerton.
New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon says the families of the six people killed in the Mount Maunganui landslide ‘deserve answers’.
The victims include Sharon Maccanico and Max Furse-Kee, both 15, Lisa Maclennan, 50, longtime friends Jacqualine Wheeler and Susan Knowles, both 71, and Swedish man Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20.