In the aftermath of a catastrophic landslide in New Zealand, the victims have been identified as a grandmother and her young grandson, casting a shadow of grief over their family and community.

The tragedy unfolded at 4 a.m. on January 22, when a landslide struck Welcome Bay Road in Pāpāmoa on the North Island. The victims, 10-year-old Austen Keith Richardson and his 71-year-old grandmother Yao Fang, lost their lives in the disaster.

The powerful landslide demolished several homes and left another person seriously injured. Dramatic video footage captured by the New Zealand Herald reveals the extent of the damage, with properties engulfed in a sea of mud.

Adding to the devastation, another landslide occurred just 30 minutes away at a holiday park in Mount Maunganui. This incident left six individuals trapped, and authorities have expressed that the chances of finding them alive are grim.

In the midst of their sorrow, Austen’s parents, Keith and Angel, released a heartfelt statement. They described the profound bond shared between their son and his grandmother, underscoring the deep personal loss they now face.

‘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.

Austen Keith Richardson pictured with his grandmother Yao Fang

The slip also destroyed several homes and seriously injured one other person, with dramatic footage captured by the NZ Herald showing properties submerged in mud

‘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 Keith Richardson pictured with his grandmother Yao Fang who he adored

The site of a landslide in Mount Maunganui which smashed into a campsite on January 22, leaving multiple people missing under tonnes of mud

‘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.