"He simply went to take a shower, in the wrong place at the wrong time."
That’s how the mother of Max Furse‑Kee describes the moment the 15‑year‑old was caught in the Mount Maunganui landslide that killed six people, including his girlfriend, 15‑year‑old Sharon Maccanico.
He was among those who died when the slip crashed down onto the Mount Maunganui campground.
In a statement on Sunday, Max's mother said their world "changed forever" on January 22 when he was "suddenly and unimaginably taken from us".
"Max was not doing anything reckless, and this tragedy was not the result of poor judgement or a lack of care," she said.
"He simply went to take a shower, in the wrong place at the wrong time. There was nothing that could have prepared us for this."
Max's mother described her son as their "communal baby, a beautiful soul who brought immense light, laughter, and love into our world".
"As a family, we cannot begin to imagine life without him," she said.
"We are grieving not only the person we have lost, but all the milestones, memories, and future moments that will now never be. No words are big enough to capture this pain."
Max's mother said the family took comfort knowing he spent his final days with Sharon, "someone he loved so deeply", and with her family, who "loved him too".
"Please keep Max and all the other affected families in your thoughts. Love your loved ones, life can be heartbreakingly unfair."
A memorial service for Max will be held on February 4, with the family asking that attendance be limited to close friends and relatives.
"We are overwhelmed by the messages of love, comfort, and support that have come from across New Zealand and around the world. Thank you all."
She also paid tribute to police, Fire and Emergency's Urban Search and Rescue, the Rapid Relief Team, "all the machinery operators who worked extremely carefully, local Iwi, Kaitiaki and our incredible police family liaison officers".
"You have worked tirelessly to care for us and to bring Max home. We have seen how deeply this has affected everyone involved, and your compassion and kindness will help carry us through the days ahead."
'Love of her life'
In a statement on Friday, Sharon Maccanico's parents Natallia and Carmine said their "hearts are broken following the passing of our beautiful daughter".
The teenager met "the love of her life" Max Furse-Kee one year ago, and "quickly formed a strong relationship".
Natallia and Carmine said Max "became a treasured part of our family, and he looked after Sharon and made her feel so special".
The teenager dreamed of becoming a professional dancer, practising for hours every day to hone her craft. She won awards in all seven of the solo dance competitions she took part in at the regional and national level, her proud parents said.
Last year, she also won an international competition in Belarus.
"We gave her all the support we could and were so proud to watch her work towards achieving her dreams," the statement read. "We had the most amazing relationship with Sharon. From the day she was born, she was loved by all."
Victims formally identified
Six people were killed when 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 and sixth victims were formally identified on Saturday as Susan Knowles and Jacqualine Wheeler.
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