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Tragedy struck New Zealand as a devastating landslide claimed the lives of a grandmother and her grandson. The victims have been identified as 71-year-old Yao Fang and 10-year-old Austen Keith Richardson.
The catastrophic event occurred at 4 a.m. on January 22 on Welcome Bay Road in Pāpāmoa, located on the North Island. The landslide not only took two lives but also demolished several homes and left one person critically injured. Compelling footage from the New Zealand Herald reveals the extent of the destruction, showing homes engulfed in mud.
In a separate but equally heart-wrenching incident, another landslide struck a holiday park in Mount Maunganui, approximately 30 minutes away. Six individuals were trapped, and authorities have expressed grim expectations about their chances of survival.
In the wake of the tragedy, Austen’s parents, Keith and Angel, shared a touching statement. They spoke of the profound bond their son shared with his grandmother, highlighting the deep connection between the two.
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.
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.