In a moment that shattered what little hope remained, the body of 15-year-old Max Furse-Kee has been formally identified as one of the six victims buried alive in the catastrophic Mount Maunganui landslide that struck a New Zealand holiday park on January 22, 2026. The grim confirmation came via DNA matching and forensic dental records during a tense Coroner’s Court hearing in Tauranga District Court on January 28 – the very day the Auckland teenager would have celebrated his 16th birthday.

The identification process delivered a devastating blow to his family. Sources close to the investigation reveal that Max’s parent – overwhelmed by grief – collapsed upon viewing the remains, a raw, unbearable scene that underscores the unrelenting horror of this natural disaster turned nightmare. No parent should ever face such a sight: the child they raised, now unrecognizable except through cold scientific proof. The collapse was immediate and profound, leaving loved ones rushing to support as the reality of irreversible loss crashed down.

Max Furse-Kee, a bright student at Pakūranga College in east Auckland and a passionate player for the Pakuranga United Rugby Club, had been enjoying what should have been a carefree holiday getaway at the Mount Maunganui holiday park with his girlfriend, 15-year-old Sharon Maccanico – another victim still awaiting formal identification. The two teens, inseparable and full of life, were among the six swept away when torrential rain triggered a massive slip from the slopes of Mauao (Mount Maunganui), burying caravans, cabins, and campers under tons of mud, rock, and debris in the dead of night.

The landslide hit without warning during one of the region’s worst weather events in years, with heavy downpours saturating the ground and destabilizing the volcanic slopes. Emergency services launched a frantic rescue operation, but within days police shifted to grim recovery mode, admitting survival was impossible under the weight and conditions. Search teams battled relentless rain, unstable terrain, and deep mud to locate bodies – a painstaking, heartbreaking task.

Max’s body was recovered on Monday, January 26, from the devastation zone. Forensic experts conducted examinations the following day, collecting fingerprints, DNA samples, photographs of distinguishing features, and dental records. Senior Constable Robert Stokes presented the evidence to Deputy Chief Coroner Brigitte Windley, who ruled the identity confirmed beyond doubt. “Sadly, today he would have turned 16,” the coroner noted solemnly, her words hanging heavy in the courtroom as Max’s body was released to his shattered family for final rites.

His mother, Hannah Furse, had earlier shared a poignant tribute: “My love for Max is impossible to explain… no words are big enough to describe this love or loss.” She described him as a “wonderful son” and “devoted big brother,” a kind, beautiful human being whose light has been extinguished far too soon. The Pakuranga United Rugby Club posted emotional tributes on social media, remembering the teen who brought energy and joy to the field – now forever frozen in memory.

The tragedy claimed six lives in total: Max and Sharon, both 15 and classmates at Pakūranga College; Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50, a literacy coordinator hailed as a hero for warning others; longtime friends Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler and Susan Doreen Knowles, both 71; and Swedish tourist Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20, who had only been at the campground for two days. Formal identifications continue for the others, with Maclennan already confirmed via DNA, dental records, and a distinctive butterfly tattoo.

Social media overflows with grief and calls for answers. On platforms across New Zealand and beyond, hashtags like #MountMaunganuiLandslide and tributes to Max flood feeds: rugby teammates sharing photos of him in action, school friends posting memories of laughter and adventures, strangers offering prayers for the families. “He was just a kid celebrating life – how could this happen?” one viral post reads. Communities rally with fundraisers and vigils, but nothing can fill the void left by a teen who never got to blow out those 16 candles.

The disaster has sparked urgent questions about campsite safety on unstable volcanic terrain, land-use policies near slopes, and early-warning systems during extreme weather. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and local officials have pledged reviews, but for the families, no inquiry can bring back what was lost.

As recovery efforts drag on amid ongoing rain and treacherous conditions, the image of a parent collapsing at the sight of their child’s remains haunts every update. Max Furse-Kee’s story is no longer about a promising future – it’s a stark reminder of nature’s fury and life’s fragility. A boy who should have been blowing out birthday candles is instead being laid to rest, leaving behind a family forever changed and a nation mourning one of its brightest young lights.

The search for closure continues, but for Max’s loved ones, the pain is only beginning. Six lives stolen in an instant. One heartbreaking identification at a time.