The brother of one of the Kiwis who is believed to be on Whakaari / White Island says he appreciates the support from Ngāti Awa and police.
Photo: RNZ / Dom Thomas
Mark Inman is the brother of Hayden Marshall-Inman, who was on the island as a local tour guide when it erupted.
The death toll from Monday's eruption is at eight, with another eight missing and presumed to be dead. The recovery team landed shortly after 8am today and is in the area where they believe the majority of the bodies are, police said.
In the latest statement, police said six bodies have so far been recovered from the island and are onboard the HMNZS Wellington.
Mark Inman this morning told RNZ senior police had listened to the families and worked with them at a human level.
"We're just appreciative that something is happening now and it's a credit to those [senior policemen] who came down to a personal level and listened to the families and heard their wants and needs.
He said this morning's karakia held on the ocean near the island was an emotional experience for the families on board.
"And it's a credit to Ngāti Awa as well for giving us the time and the opportunity to take the family out to the island and have some closure. As a cultural thing, that's amazing, as a nation we're blessed. The Australians on the boat with us, they felt it.
"It was just one of those moments that you're proud to be a New Zealander, proud to be amongst the Māori culture, full credit to Ngāti Awa for providing that opportunity to the families."
Inman said they had been getting as many updates as needed with the operation ongoing.
"We don't need to know any further details as long as it's under way and they're making progress.
"We're making progress, we're moving forward, and that's all we want. We just want our loved ones back."
Read more on the Whakaari/White Island eruption:
- Follow RNZ's live blog for the latest
- Whakaari / White Island eruption: how it unfolded
- Recovery mission: 'we have a plan'
- The beauty and the menace of Whakaari
Inman previously wrote to the prime minister requesting permission to assemble his own team to go to the island to retrieve his brother's body. At the time, authorities had said going back to the island was too dangerous and would not be permitted.
His request was rejected by Police Minister Stuart Nash.