As the fog ascended from Whakatāne and the first rays of light signalled a new day, hundreds gathered to remember the tragic day one year ago when Whakaari/White Island erupted.
By Audrey Malone
A karakia was given for those who died, their families and the others who were on the island when the explosion happened.
Ngāti Awa's chairman Joe Harawira opened the sombre occasion.
A wreath was blessed as friends, family and members of the community watched on, with some wiping tears away from their face.
One year ago, on December 9, 2019, 47 people were on the volcano when it erupted, mainly tourists. Twenty two have died and 22 were seriously injured. Only three people made it off without serious injuries.
Hayden Marshall-Inman was one of 22 people who died after the volcanic eruption.
Harawira sat for the service with the Mark Inman, brother and father of White Island guide Hayden Marshall-Inman whose body was never recovered.
Amongst the others at the morning's activities were Kelsey Waghorn, another guide on the island who was seriously injured, and the father of Jake Milbank, another guide who also survived the blast.
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