Tragedy has struck New Zealand as a grandmother and her young grandson have been confirmed as victims of a catastrophic landslide.

The victims, 71-year-old Yao Fang and 10-year-old Austen Keith Richardson, lost their lives during the early hours of January 22 when a landslide ravaged Welcome Bay Road in Pāpāmoa, located on the North Island.

The disastrous event obliterated several homes and left another individual with severe injuries. Dramatic visuals captured by the New Zealand Herald depict the aftermath, with residences engulfed in mud.

In a related incident, a separate landslide occurred just 30 minutes away at a holiday park in Mount Maunganui. This incident trapped six individuals, with authorities expressing little hope of finding them alive.

Austen’s parents, Keith and Angel, shared a heartfelt statement, highlighting the profound connection between their son and his grandmother.

“Austen and his grandmother shared a remarkably close relationship,” they expressed, noting that Austen lovingly referred to her as Nai Nai.

Just days before the tragedy, the family made a treasured memory together.

‘The weekend before the tragedy, we visited the Kumeū Classic Car and Hot Rod Festival before surprising him [Austen] with his dream motocross bike from a mate on the way home,’ Keith and Angel said.

Austen Keith Richardson pictured with his grandmother Yao Fang

The slip also destroyed several homes and seriously injured one other person, with dramatic footage captured by the NZ Herald showing properties submerged in mud

‘This will forever be a treasured memory.’

Austen was born in Shanghai before the family returned to New Zealand when he was eight months old. 

‘Since Austen was born, Ms Fang has spent extended periods of time with us in New Zealand,’ his parents said.

He had recently finished at Arataki School, thriving in the Montessori class that his parents said ‘perfectly suited his personality’. 

He had been accepted into Bethlehem College and was preparing to start Year 7.

Austen was described as a gifted young musician who adored Lego, motorbikes, Pokémon and mathematics. 

The family had also recently attended the Annual Honda Kids Camp at Lake Rotoiti, a highlight for Austen, who loved reuniting with old friends and making new ones.

Fluent in Mandarin and proud of his Chinese heritage, Austen cherished trips back to China.

Austen Keith Richardson pictured with his grandmother Yao Fang who he adored

The site of a landslide in Mount Maunganui which smashed into a campsite on January 22, leaving multiple people missing under tonnes of mud

‘Austen spoke Mandarin fluently, was proud of his Chinese heritage and loved visiting China on our trips back,’ his parents said.

They also reflected on the deep love and stability Ms Fang brought into their lives.

‘She was a beautiful mother and grandmother, deeply caring, so generous and always prioritising looking after others ahead of herself.’

Ms Fang had worked as an architect in China while raising Angel as a solo parent. 

In New Zealand, she embraced the outdoors, tending a flourishing vegetable garden, caring for the family’s chickens and joining them at the Chinese Methodist Church in Greerton.

New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Luxon says the families of the six people killed in the Mount Maunganui landslide ‘deserve answers’.

The victims include Sharon Maccanico and Max Furse-Kee, both 15, Lisa Maclennan, 50, longtime friends Jacqualine Wheeler and Susan Knowles, both 71, and Swedish man Måns Loke Bernhardsson, 20.