Sue Knowles, 71 and Jacqualine Wheeler, 71
Two Rotorua women
believed to have been killed in the Mount Maunganui campground landslide were friends.
Wheeler, known as Jackie, co-founded an interior design business and Knowles was a property manager for EVES in Rotorua.
Rotorua councillor Gregg Brown said the women were friends and had been good customers of the cafe he owned, Capers. He said he knew Knowles particularly well and described her as “a delightful human being”.
“She helped us in her role at EVES a number of times and we were very grateful for her contribution.“
He said he was deeply saddened by the events in Mount Maunganui. Rotorua Mayor Tania Tapsell said Rotorua was a small town, and she knew of the two women.
“They’re good friends of friends.
“They are parents, they are grandparents and we’re just absolutely devastated for their families and all families involved.“
Knowles is married to former Rotorua car dealer Robin Knowles and they have two children, Krystie Lewis, who is the general manager for IT specialists iTCo Solutions, and BP Oil sales manager and drift car champion Rohan (Roady) Knowles.
Knowles was described on the EVES website as being a friendly and professional property manager who began her career in the industry in 2007.
Outside of her work and close-knit family, it said she enjoyed horse riding, including trekking, hunting, and dressage — as well as mountain biking.
Knowles was hailed as hero in April 2023 when she saved the life of her 5-year-old granddaughter who was being attacked by a dog.
Knowles was with her daughter and two young children who had travelled from Rotorua to Te Puna, Tauranga to buy a Black Russian Terrier puppy when she was attacked by another dog at the premises.
When the sire of the puppy sunk its teeth into the little girl, Knowles, who was then aged 68, wrestled the dog to the ground and prised open its jaw releasing the little girl from its grasp.
Knowles was described by her daughter on her Facebook page three years ago on Knowles’ birthday as “not just a great Mum and Granna … You’re the greatest woman I know.”
Sharon Maccanico, 15 and Max Furse-Kee, 15
The teenagers attended Auckland’s Pakuranga College together.
The final photo they posted together was shared three days ago.
Maccanico is originally from from Avellino, Italy.
She was thought to have been living in Auckland with her family, with her Italian relatives taking to Facebook to ask their local community to join them in a prayer at a church service in Picarelli in hope of a miracle.
Pakuranga College today confirmed on Instagram she was a student along with Furse-Kee, who is also unaccounted for.
“It is with deep sadness that we share the passing of two Pakūranga College students, Max Furse-Kee and Sharon Maccanico, in the tragedy at Mount Manganui. The college has been in contact with both families to express our heartfelt sympathy and aroha.
“Many members of the college have been deeply impacted by the news and we are working to support students and staff in the coming days and weeks. The wellbeing of our college community is paramount as the school year starts next week under incredibly sad circumstances.
“Parents have received an email this afternoon with advice and information for supporting their child/ren as they process this distressing event. Arohanui x”
Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20
Sweden’s Foreign Affairs ministry has confirmed one of its citizens is unaccounted for in New Zealand.
Lisa Maclennan, 50
Principal of Morrinsville Intermediate Jenny Clark shared today that school staff member Maclennan is one of the people unaccounted for in the landslide.
Described as an “amazing Literacy Centre tutor”, Clark said the school community was continuing to hope and pray for Maclennan.
“Our love and aroha go out to Lisa’s family”, Clark said.
Welcome Bay fatalities
Two people were confirmed dead after a separate slip destroyed a home on Welcome Bay Road, Pāpāmoa.
They are believed to be a grandmother and her grandson.
The grandmother was a woman of Chinese descent. Her grandson, believed to be 10, was described as a “bright” and inquisitive young piano student.
Confirmation of the deaths came from a surviving family member who said, “It’s our house and our family lost.”
A neighbour said a New Zealand man had lived in the area for a long time. He lived with his wife, their son, and his wife’s parents.
