Whakaari/White Island: Country stands still to remember volcano victims

Monday, 16 December 2019

The 2.11pm moment of silence was observed nationwide and was exactly a week after the volcano erupted.

People across the country gathered together at 2.11pm for a minute's silence to acknowledge those affected by the Whakaari/White Island eruption, exactly a week on from the eruption.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was an opportunity to show support for grieving family and friends of the victims.

Around 250 people came together at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae in Whakatāne, kaumātua Joe Harawira said.

People gather together at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae in Whakatāne for the minute's silence to remember the victims of the Whakaari/White Island eruption.

People hugged outside the marae, and singing could be heard from the grounds, where one attendee described the gathering as poignant.

**READ MORE:

A person brings flowers to the Te manuka Tutahi Marae in Whakatāne.

* Whakaari/White Island: Recovery teams leave island empty handed after search for bodies

* Whakatāne community divided, concerned following Whakaari/White Island eruption

Kaumātua Joe Harawira said 250 people met at the wharenui.

* Whakaari/White Island: divers battle contaminated water, low visibility**

The families of the deceased and injured, as well as members of the Navy, stood on HMS Wellington and stared at the volcano about 1 mile in front of them for the minute's silence as the smell of sulphur filled the air.

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and deputy Winston Peters observe a minute of silence for the Whakaari/White Island victims.

Nearby, six police officers stood on a police boat facing the volcano, with their hats in their hands paying their respects.

The HMNZS Wellington then passed the island, with everyone onboard standing outside examining the place some of their loved ones took their final steps.

Members of Cabinet observe a minute of silence for victims a week after the tragedy.

The boat then turned around heading back to Whakatāne as the mourners hugged each other, while others slouched over the rails in silence.

New Zealand Defence Force and Police are seen at Whakatane Airport

Ardern and members of Cabinet also observed a minute's silence at Parliament today during a cabinet meeting.

In Australia, where many of the victims were visiting from, flags were flown at half-mast to honour them.

Earlier in the day, the dive search for two remaining bodies off the shore of Whakaari/White Island was put on hold.

Police put out a release on Monday morning saying the Police National Dive Squad was not out in the water.

A police boat docked at Whakatāne marina on Monday morning.

'The operation continues with police committed to doing all we can to provide a sense of closure to the grieving families,' the statement ended.

It did not elaborate on why the search was on hold, but weather was a factor.

The HMS Wellington remained in the waters around Whakaari/White Island on Monday morning.

The Metservice forecast for Whakatāne on Monday was for occasional showers and northerlies.

Meanwhile, Defence Force staff were packing up and leaving Whakatāne Airport. Police choppers, however, remained.

Members of the dive squad unload gear on Monday.

Deputy Commisioner Mike Clement gave an update on the recovery operation on Whakaari/White Island. The recovery team returned and went through a decontamination process.

Reporters on the ground had been told that Navy staff would be returning to Palmerston North.

Three helicopters, navy and police divers worked together in the search on Sunday. That search had focused around an area near the jetty, and on Sunday Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement they were satisfied that area was clear.

'It can take days and weeks,' Bush told Newshub.

'We know that and we will continue our searches.'

Civil Defence said response agencies remained 'deeply committed' to the goal of recovering the two remaining bodies.

'Meanwhile, the process of identifying victims and releasing bodies to their loved ones is ongoing in Auckland,' they said in a statement on Monday.

'Police will continue to release the names of those who have died as soon as they are able to.'

The official death toll after the Whakaari/White Island eruption is 16 - this number was expected to grow.

Thirteen Australians have been transferred back to Australia to receive treatment, but the rare nature of the burns is challenging.

Fifteen victims remained in hospitals across New Zealand on Friday, 11 in a critical condition.

Meanwhile, preparations are underway to at Mānuka Tūtahi Marae to host a minute's silence at 2.11pm on Monday - exactly one week since the island erupted while 47 people were on, or near it.

Ardern expressed her emotions in a stirring Instagram post on Monday morning saying 'there are almost no words for the stories of both the aftermath and the loss that has followed'.

She said New Zealand had experienced the most extraordinary tragedy.

She posted an image from a plane while travelling out to Whakatāne, saying it was a beautiful outlook on a very sad day.

'Lives were lost immediately, and in the days that have followed others have succumbed to their injuries,' she said.

'There are almost no words for the stories of both the aftermath and the loss that has followed. I want to pay tribute to the many people who did extraordinary things to save lives — whether it was through rescue efforts or the ongoing response by health professionals across the country.

'To the recovery team who made it their mission to bring loved ones back from the island, right through to the council, emergency management team who have supported the local community all the way through.

'To Ngāti Awa, for the outpouring of manaakitanga and support to all that have needed a safe haven during this time.

'Those who have been lost are now forever linked to New Zealand, and we will hold them close.'