Most of the people who were on Whakaari White Island on Monday were passengers on board a cruise ship the Ovation of the Seas, which had berthed in Tauranga.
They took a day trip out to the island, but never returned.
That boat is still waiting at the Port of Tauranga, with no word on when it will be able to leave.
Among the 5,000 people on board is ABC journalist Donna Field. She talks to Lisa Owen.