The sixth and final victim of the Mount Maunganui landslide has been identified at a Coroners Court hearing this evening.
Chief Coroner Anna Tutton confirmed she was Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71, from Rotorua. She was known by her family as Jackie.
Evidence was presented by Detective Sergeant Brent Griffiths, a member of the Disaster Victim Identification team, at the Tauranga Moana District Court shortly after 6pm.
Tutton ruled the identity of the body had been established as Wheeler, and that her remains could now be released to her family.
"Jackie has been described as the backbone and matriarch of her family," Tutton said.
"Their tragedy is unimaginable."
The court heard that Jackie was a keen adventurer, with a hands on approach to life.
She thanked "all those involved in reuniting the victims of this devastating event with their families" before concluding the hearing.
Wheeler was the final victim to be identified after a landslip struck the Beachside Holiday Park's toilet and shower block, knocking over campervans and tents at the base of Mauao on January 22.
The missing were named by police on January 24 as Lisa Anne Maclennan, 50; Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20; Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71; Susan Doreen Knowles, 71; Sharon Maccanico, 15; and Max Furse-Kee, 15.
The first victim of the landslip was formally identified on Wednesday as Max Furse-Kee.
The second victim was formally identified on Thursday as Swedish tourist Måns Loke Bernhardsson.
The third and fourth victims were formally identified on Friday as Morrinsville teacher Lisa Anne Maclennan and Sharon Maccanico.
The fifth victim was formally identified on Saturday as Susan Knowles.
SHARE ME