Of the 47 people on White Island when it erupted on Monday, 38 were passengers on the cruise ship Ovation of the Seas.
Several are among those confirmed dead.
Another 28 are being treated at hospitals throughout the country or have already been transferred to hospitals in Australia.
After being temporarily delayed in Tauranga, Ovation of the Seas has now reached Picton.
ABC journalist Donna Field is onboard.
