See the latest Whakaari / White Island event response updates »

Whakatāne District Mayor Judy Turner says her heart goes out to the injured, the missing and deceased, and their families and whanau.

"Our focus is on supporting whanau and our broader community and visitors. We are working with Ngāti Awa and others to support those most in need.

"We have been advised that the situation on Whakaari / White Island remains extremely volatile. There have been three eruptions and there is unpredictable ongoing volcanic activity. The current risk of ash fall reaching the East Coast is low to very low. GNS is continuing to monitor the situation, but at this stage the elevated risk level is contained to Whakaari / White Island."

"We wish to thank the huge outpouring of support from all our neighbouring councils, including the in-person support of the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, community groups, including Iwi, Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi and many others.

"Police are leading the search and rescue operation and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is leading the overall disaster response," says Mayor Turner.

The latest confirmed information is that:

• Five persons have now been confirmed deceased.
• A number of others are still missing or unaccounted for.

Police are assessing the situation on Whakaari / White Island and emergency services are on site.  

• Police are in constant contact with GNS regarding the level of risk of a further eruption on the Island. 
• A five-mile air exclusion zone is in operation around the Island, together with a five nautical mile maritime exclusion zone.

Our community is rallying around to support all those involved:

• Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa has opened Te Mānuka Tutahi Marae and people are welcome to come and share and support one another.

Contact numbers for concerned people: 

From NZ Police:

Information numbers have been set up for people wishing to register their concern about friends and loved ones who they believe may be involved in this incident. 

People within New Zealand can call 105, or go to the Police website.  
People overseas can call: +64 9105 105 

From Red Cross: 

At the request of New Zealand Police, New Zealand Red Cross has activated the Family Links website for people wanting to register themselves as safe or register an inquiry about a loved one.

If you are worried about a friend or family member following the Whakaari / White Island eruption, first contact them as you normally would. 

If you cannot make contact, you can register them by visiting the Red Cross website - Please note this website does not host an official list of missing persons, and information is submitted by members of the public.

From Whakatāne District Council:

An Open Facebook group has been established at facebook.com/WhakataneDistrictCouncil.

Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved, their families and friends.