In the Bay of Plenty a massive rescue operation is underway following an eruption on White Island at around 2:11pm when about 50 people were on or around the island.
At least 20 have been injured, a number of them are believed to be critical. Some people also remain unaccounted for.
Search and the coastguard are working to bring people back to shore.
Whakatāne resident Don Richards is at home inside the cordon. He talks to Lisa Owen.
