People cross the country gathered together at 2.11pm for a minute's silence to acknowledge those affected by the Whakaari/White Island eruption, exactly a week on from the eruption.
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said it was an opportunity to show support for grieving family and friends of the victims.
Around 250 people came together at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae in Whakatāne, kaumātua Joe Harawira said.
MATT SHAND/STUFF
People gather together at Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae in Whakatāne for the minute's silence to remember the victims of the Whakaari/White Island eruption.
People hugged outside the marae, and singing could be heard from the grounds, where one attendee described the gathering as poignant.
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The families of the deceased and injured, as well as members of the Navy, stood on HMS Wellington and stared at the volcano about 1 mile in front of them for the minute's silence as the smell of sulphur filled the air.
MATT SHAND/STUFF
A person brings flowers to the Te manuka Tutahi Marae in Whakatāne.
Nearby, six police officers stood on a police boat facing the volcano, with their hats in their hands paying their respects.
The HMS Wellington then passed the island, with everyone onboard standing outside examining the place some of their loved ones took their final steps.
The boat then turned around heading back to Whakatāne as the mourners hugged each other, while others slouched over the rails in silence.
MATT SHAND/STUFF
Kaumātua Joe Harawira said 250 people met at the wharenui.
Ardern and members of Cabinet also observed a minute's silence at Parliament today during a cabinet meeting.
In Australia, where many of the victims were visiting from, flags were flown at half-mast to honour them.
Earlier in the day, the dive search for two remaining bodies off the shore of Whakaari/White Island was put on hold.
HAGEN HOPKINS/GETTY IMAGES
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and deputy Winston Peters observe a minute of silence for the Whakaari/White Island victims.
Police put out a release on Monday morning saying the Police National Dive Squad was not out in the water.
"The operation continues with police committed to doing all we can to provide a sense of closure to the grieving families," the statement ended.
It did not elaborate on why the search was on hold, but weather was a factor.
HAGEN HOPKINS/GETTY IMAGES
Members of Cabinet observe a minute of silence for victims a week after the tragedy.
The Metservice forecast for Whakatāne on Monday was for occasional showers and northerlies.
Meanwhile, Defence Force staff were packing up and leaving Whakatāne Airport. Police choppers, however, remained.
Reporters on the ground had been told that Navy staff would be returning to Palmerston North
Three helicopters, navy and police divers worked together in the search on Sunday. That search had focused around an area near the jetty, and on Sunday Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement they were satisfied that area was clear.
"It can take days and weeks," Bush told Newshub.
"We know that and we will continue our searches."
CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF
A police boat docked at Whakatāne marina on Monday morning.
Civil Defence said response agencies remained "deeply committed" to the goal of recovering the two remaining bodies.
"Meanwhile, the process of identifying victims and releasing bodies to their loved ones is ongoing in Auckland," they said in a statement on Monday.
"Police will continue to release the names of those who have died as soon as they are able to."
CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF
The HMS Wellington remained in the waters around Whakaari/White Island on Monday morning.
The official death toll after the Whakaari/White Island eruption is 16 - this number was expected to grow.
Thirteen Australians have been transferred back to Australia to receive treatment, but the rare nature of the burns is challenging.
Fifteen victims remained in hospitals across New Zealand on Friday, 11 in a critical condition.
CHRISTEL YARDLEY/STUFF
Members of the dive squad unload gear on Monday.
Meanwhile, preparations are underway to at Mānuka Tūtahi Marae to host a minute's silence at 2.11pm on Monday - exactly one week since the island erupted while 47 people were on, or near it.
Ardern expressed her emotions in a stirring Instagram post on Monday morning saying "there are almost no words for the stories of both the aftermath and the loss that has followed".
She said New Zealand had experienced the most extraordinary tragedy.
Deputy Commisioner Mike Clement gave an update on the recovery operation on Whakaari/White Island. The recovery team returned and went through a decontamination process.
She posted an image from a plane while travelling out to Whakatāne, saying it was a beautiful outlook on a very sad day.
"Lives were lost immediately, and in the days that have followed others have succumbed to their injuries," she said.
"There are almost no words for the stories of both the aftermath and the loss that has followed. I want to pay tribute to the many people who did extraordinary things to save lives — whether it was through rescue efforts or the ongoing response by health professionals across the country.
"To the recovery team who made it their mission to bring loved ones back from the island, right through to the council, emergency management team who have supported the local community all the way through.
"To Ngāti Awa, for the outpouring of manaakitanga and support to all that have needed a safe haven during this time.
"Those who have been lost are now forever linked to New Zealand, and we will hold them close."
Whakaari\White Island: a minute's silence and a Christmas carol for the lost
Virginia Fallon Dec 16 2019
We are all whānau now.
They came in their hundreds, in uniforms and shorts, in jandals and heels and boots, in their sorrow and their grief.
At Whakatāne's Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae they came to be together, to mourn the loss of so much and so many.
MATT SHAND/STUFF
In Whakatāne's Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae they came to be together, to mourn the loss of so much and so many.
And, after the silence they sang a carol. Because it's nearly Christmas after all.
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On Monday afternoon hundreds of people filed quietly into Ngāti Awa's waterfront marae to mark one week since the eruption of Whakaari Island.
MATT SHAND/STUFF
Crowds gather at Whakatāne's Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae to observe a minute's silence.
Since the tragedy the marae had been the heart of the community as Ngāti Awa opened its doors to police, the public, and emergency workers who removed their shoes and sought solace inside.
The families of the lost had gone there too, and, one week later some were there again.
They sat at the back, near the door and the hundreds of shoes left outside it.
MATT SHAND/STUFF
Emergency workers joined the public and victims' families for the one minute of silence.
Earlier, kaumatua Joe Harawera had ushered in the people waiting on the footpath outside the marae gates.
'Haere mai everybody, in you go, don't worry we're all whānau now."
When a couple of Pākeha hung back in uncertainty - or awe - Harawera approached them, gently guiding them through the gate and towards the marae.
MATT SHAND/STUFF
Staff of White Island Tours joined the crowd.
"Come on, you're ok, we're all one whānau today."
Normally the protocol for first-time guests would be much more formal but today was different, and the welcomes and karakias had been done in the morning.
Inside, the back rows filled up first, leaving aunties to coax people to the front: "Keep moving whanau, we won't make you sing."
MATT SHAND/STUFF
St John Ambulance were called to treat a person during the minute of silence. They were transferred in moderate condition to Whakatāne Hospital.
Iwi members handed out service booklets containing the Māori words for upcoming prayers and songs.
Decorated with Christmas illustrations the booklets were titled 'Kirihimete' [Christmas].
And then there was silence.
At 2.11pm - exactly one week after Whakaari roared - everyone in Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae bowed their heads.
Around the country, and the world, people did the same thing but here - so close to the island - it was different.
Outside, a child chattered.
Inside, a woman whispered a prayer in reo Pākeha.
Someone sobbed quietly.
A man cleared his throat.
And the carving of Mataatua ancestor Te Mautaranui kept watch.
After the minute was up there were prayers and songs, and then the mourners, the emergency workers, the tourists and the iwi sung Silent Night in reo Māori.
"Ki te Kaiwhakaora. Kia Hehu aroha."
Sleep in heavenly peace. Sleep in heavenly peace.
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