A talented 15-year-old hip-hop dancer from Auckland, originally hailing from southern Italy, has become a symbol of profound loss following a catastrophic landslide that struck a popular campground at the base of Mount Maunganui in New Zealand’s Bay of Plenty region. Sharon Maccanico, a student at Pakūranga College, was holidaying with her friend Max Furse-Kee, also 15 and a fellow student, when heavy rains triggered a massive slip on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The disaster buried campervans, tents, and structures under tons of sodden earth and debris, claiming lives and leaving six people unaccounted for initially.

Sharon, born in Avellino and raised in the small town of Picarelli before moving to New Zealand with her parents Carmine and Natalia, had built a bright future in dance. She joined RGD Studio in Auckland in 2022 and quickly rose as a core member of their top junior hip-hop crew. At just 12, she helped her team place ninth at the Hip Hop World Championships in Arizona that year. By 2023, she secured first place in the 11-12 age category at the national Hip Hop Unite Championships. Dance instructors described her as wildly talented, kind, passionate, and committed—someone whose presence elevated everyone around her. “She became more than a dancer,” one studio representative said, noting the deep sadness rippling through New Zealand’s dance community upon news of her disappearance.

Resurfacing footage of Sharon performing—energetic routines filled with precision, flair, and joy—has spread rapidly online. These clips, once shared proudly by family and friends, now carry an unbearable weight. They capture a vibrant young life full of promise, standing in stark contrast to the grim reality at Mauao (Mount Maunganui), a sacred Māori site turned scene of tragedy. The landslide, fueled by weeks of intense rainfall saturating the ground, unleashed an “almighty cracking” sound witnessed by campers, followed by chaos as earth crashed down without warning.

Sharon and Max were among the six initially missing, alongside literacy coordinator Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50; Swedish national Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20; and longtime friends Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler and Susan Doreen Knowles, both 71. Police Superintendent Tim Anderson announced human remains had been located Friday evening, shifting operations from rescue to recovery. “No one could have survived” under the debris, he stated, citing the force and weight of the material. Conditions remained treacherous, with unstable ground halting efforts at times and requiring heavy machinery alongside sniffer dogs and specialist teams.

In Auckland, about 100 mourners—many young people—gathered at the Domain on a rainy Monday evening to honor Sharon. Candles flickered as prayers were said, music played softly, and attendees reflected on her joy, strength, and warmth. “Bring a light, a candle, or simply your presence,” the invitation read. Pakūranga College issued a statement expressing deep sadness over the loss of Sharon and Max, prioritizing counseling for students and staff grappling with the “incredibly sad circumstances.” The Honorary Consul to Italy in Auckland attended, expressing empathy for Sharon’s parents and the unimaginable pain they endured.

Back in Italy, Sharon’s hometown of Picarelli held prayer vigils in the local church, presided over by Monsignor Antonio Dente. The community, where Sharon remained widely known despite her move abroad, gathered in shock and solidarity. Italian media outlets like Avellino Today and Il Mattino reported extensively, highlighting her as an international hip-hop champion and sharing updates from New Zealand authorities. Sharon’s family stayed in constant contact with the Italian Foreign Ministry and the Deputy Ambassador, who visited the site to offer support.

A Givealittle fundraising page launched by friends described Sharon as “beautiful, kind and talented,” noting her parents were heartbroken “beyond belief.” Donations aimed to assist the family during this devastating time. Tributes flooded social media from the dance world, with one mother sharing how her daughter had danced alongside Sharon, underscoring the interconnected grief across studios nationwide.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon visited the site and attended a candlelight vigil at Blake Park in Mount Maunganui, where hundreds left flowers, notes, and messages of aroha near the cordon. He called the event a “senseless tragedy” and praised community support amid widespread flooding and slips across the North Island. Separate incidents nearby—including a grandmother and grandchild lost in Welcome Bay and other weather-related fatalities—amplified the national mourning.

The tragedy has prompted calls for reviews into landslide risks at popular sites, especially after prolonged heavy weather. Tauranga’s mayor announced an independent investigation into preceding events, emphasizing the need to learn for future extreme weather preparedness. Yet for those who knew Sharon, the focus remains personal: remembering a girl whose talent shone brightly, whose friendship touched deeply, and whose absence now leaves an irreplaceable void.

As recovery continues painstakingly—formal identification processes underway through the Coroners Court using international disaster victim protocols—Sharon’s story endures through her dance videos and the outpouring of love. They serve as a poignant reminder of lives interrupted too soon, urging reflection on nature’s power and the fragility of joy.