Mount Maunganui landslide: Victim Lisa Maclennan’s Morrinsville colleagues speak of loss

Morrinsville woman Lisa Maclennan, 50, is among those unaccounted for at Mt Maunganui.

The “devastated” colleagues of Mount Maunganui landslide victim Lisa Maclennan have spoken of the “loss of such a beautiful, selfless lady”.

Morrinsville Intermediate School principal Jenny Clark says Maclennan was a highly valued and respected staff member.

The 50-year-old literacy centre co-ordinator was “like whānau” and would be deeply missed.

“We are all devastated at the loss of such a beautiful, selfless lady who touched the lives of so many in both our kura and the wider community.”

Clark told the Waikato Herald that she was still trying to process the events of January 22 and feared that Maclennan’s body would never be returned.

“It is very difficult to talk about Lisa in the past,” she said.

“We are still unsure if she has been recovered or not.”

Staff met yesterday morning to pay tribute to Maclennan.

The father of a former Morrinsville Intermediate student also said Maclennan helped his son when he first started school.

His son had struggled and Maclennan helped him find his confidence.

Maclennan was described as a hero for her actions on the morning of the slip.

The Herald revealed she woke many holidaymakers up at 5am to warn them that the bank above the camp was deteriorating.

Maclennan is one of six people who remain missing after last Thursday’s devastating landslide that crashed into the Mount Maunganui Beach Holiday Park.

Community members have set up a Givealittle page to help her husband, Travis Maclennan, and her family.

“We are fundraising on behalf of Travis and his family to help them through this difficult time. We cannot put a value on the loss of a loved one, but any donations will make a difference and help this whanau through this extremely difficult time,” the Givealittle Page said.

Workers at Loxies Cafe in Morrinsville, where Lisa would visit for coffee, remember her as a hero in her work and as a devoted teacher.

“Lisa was both a hero in her work, guiding children through difficulties, as well as a hero to those she didn’t know.”

Morrinsville Intermediate School. Photo/ Tom Eley

Maclennan’s husband managed to escape the Mount Maunganui landslide.

He teaches at Cambridge Middle School.

In a post to its Facebook page, the school said the couple were involved in Thursday’s slip.

“Mr Mac managed to get out safely, but his wife is one of the six people still missing after the incident,” the post said.

“This is a very difficult time for Mr Mac, and we know that you will join us in supporting him and his family.”

Matamata-Piako mayor Ash Tanner told the Waikato Herald it was selfless for Maclennan to go above and beyond and risk her life.

“There are some good people out there.”

The loss of a teacher like Maclennan would be felt by the school’s community, Tanner said.

He wanted to extend his gratitude to the emergency services teams working on the recovery.

“It is a thankless job,” Tanner said.

The operation to recover the six missing people continues this week, following weather disruptions.

Recovery teams are using specialist equipment to ensure no further slips and protect worker safety at the slip site.

However, police have warned that the recovery operation could take days or even weeks.

The other victims of the landslide have been named as Mans Loke Bernhardsson, 20; Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, 71; Susan Doreen Knowles, 71; Sharon Maccanico, 15; and Max Furse-Kee, 15.

Tom Eley is a multimedia journalist at the Waikato Herald. He previously worked for the Weekend Sun and Sunlive.