A TAMWORTH couple listed a missing following the New Zealand volcano disaster have been found safe.
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Amy Miall, 30, and Mathew Thomas, 31, were among the missing listed on the New Zealand Red Cross website, following the eruption on White Island yesterday.
However, Ms Miall's father, Tony Miall, put out a statement, saying the pair were on board a boat at the time of the eruption, not on the island.
"For anyone who's worried about Amy as she is on the ship near the volcano disaster in NZ: We have been in touch with the embassy and the cruiseline and she is not missing and was not on the island when it erupted," Mr Miall said.
"We assume she along with 4000 others on the cruise are trying to contact relatives and our thoughts are with the missing and their families."
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Up to three Australians have been killed and with eight others still missing the death toll expected to rise.
Thirteen more Australians injured are being treated in hospital. The 24 Australians caught up in the blast were aged between 17 and 72.
White Island, also known as Whakaari, erupted off New Zealand's North Island on Monday afternoon.
"This is a very, very hard day for a lot of Australian families whose loved ones have been caught up in this terrible, terrible tragedy," Prime Minister Scott Morrison told reporters in Sydney on Tuesday morning.
In total, five people are confirmed dead after the eruption.
"I fear there is worse news to come over the course of perhaps today or over the next few days," Mr Morrison said.
"This is a terrible tragedy, a time of great innocence and joy interrupted by the horror of that eruption."
New Zealand authorities have done a reconnaissance mission and determined that nobody on the island could still be alive.
The extent of the injuries suffered by the 13 Australians hospitalised is unknown.
"At this stage it is still too early to tell - we know there are a number in critical conditions," the prime minister said.
"Obviously there are quite severe burns issues and that's why they are in so many different hospitals because they have been taken to the various burns units across New Zealand."
A forensics team from the Australian Federal Police is on its way to New Zealand to help identify victims.
Australia is also sending extra consular staff to support those affected.
Mr Morrison praised medical teams caring for the injured Australians.
"Some of those Australians will be a long way away from loved ones and they will be there on their own, and unaware of what has taken place because of the nature of their injuries," he said.
Australians who have concerns about the welfare of their friends and family are being urged to contact them directly.
Failing that, people have been told to call the Royal Caribbean cruise company or Australia's consular emergency centre.
"The challenge for the next few days is supporting those Australians who are so badly injured in hospitals across New Zealand, supporting their families and supporting the families of those who remain unaccounted for," Foreign Minister Marise Payne said.
"We will be working closely with New Zealand authorities and with Royal Caribbean to provide any support that we can."
*With AAP