One of the people missing on Whakaari is believed to be a 23-year-old man who had only started working as a tour guide on the island a few months ago.
Friends and whānau of Tipene Maangi gathered in Whakatāne on Tuesday afternoon - anxiously awaiting any news on his whereabouts.
They told RNZ reporter Katie Scotcher Tipene always puts others before himself, is a loving young man.
