By RNZ

A friend of a woman killed in the Mount Maunganui landslide said her friend was on her annual summer camping trip with her long-time camping buddy.

Susan Knowles, 71, was one of the six named as buried under the rubble, along with her friend Jacqualine Suzanne Wheeler, also 71.

The pair went camping there together every summer, said Alison Holtom, a friend of Knowles for almost a decade, who came to lay flowers in her honour on Saturday evening.

“They stay here at the Mount, her and Jackie, for about a month every year,” Holtom said. “They rent a caravan every year for as long as I’ve known her.”

One year Holtom joined them for a night. She said she had many good times shared with Knowles, who she knew through horse riding.

“Sue was just an absolute delight... beautiful smile. Just the loveliest lady, honestly just the loveliest... she always greeted everyone, ‘How are you, blossom?’ That’s what she always said.”

A floral tribute left for Susan Knowles at the Mt Maunganui landslide cordon. Photo / RNZ, Charlotte Cook

Holtom said there were about six friends all from horse riding who were all shocked.

“Just unbelievable, I just couldn’t believe that you know that they’re involved with it and that yeah this could happen and has happened.”

Wheeler - from Rotorua - was the founder of Colour Concepts, an interior design store in the area. According to the Colour Concepts website, Wheeler and her husband Terry started the business in 2002 and their daughter was now a key member of their team.

(Clockwise, from top left): Sue Knowles, Lisa Maclennan, Max Furse-Kee and Sharon Maccanico. Composite image / NZME

Knowles, from Ngongotahā, was a property manager for EVES Real Estate. According to the EVES website, Knowles had a background of management and property ownership since her early 20s. It said she enjoyed horse riding and mountain biking, along with spending time with her close-knit family.

The other unaccounted for victims were Lisa Maclennan, 50, from Morrinsville, Måns Bernhardsson, 20, from Sweden, Sharon Maccanico, 15, from Auckland and Max Furse-Kee, 15, from Auckland.

- RNZ