White Island eruption: 16 confirmed dead after person dies in Australian hospital

Another person injured in the White Island eruption has died in hospital.

Police confirmed the victim, who was repatriated to Australia, died on Saturday.

The official death toll is now 16, including the 15 people who died in New Zealand.

Police say the unidentified victim will come under Australia's coronial jurisdiction and therefore, New Zealand authorities are not responsible for releasing their name.

"Our relationship has proved invaluable as we continue to support those Australians and their families impacted by this tragic event," police said.

Earlier on Sunday, police named four more victims of Monday's eruption: 24-year-old New Zealander Tipene James Te Rangi Ataahua Maangi, 15-year-old Australian Zoe Ella Hosking, 53-year-old Australian Gavin Brian Dallow and 51-year-old Australian Anthony James Langford. 

Police named another victim on Saturday evening - 21-year-old Australian Krystal Browitt.

Six bodies that remained on the island following the eruption were retrieved by New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) personnel on Friday. Two bodies remain unaccounted for.

Although continued efforts to recover the final two bodies failed on Sunday morning, police say they are still hopeful.

"There will come a time when we've done everything that's sensible to do. We're not there yet and we don't give up easily. There's a whole lot of disappointed people behind me," Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Clement said.

As of Saturday night, 14 people remain in New Zealand burns units - two in Christchurch, two in Hutt Valley, two in Waikato and eight at the National Burns Unit at Auckland's Middlemore Hospital. Three people have been discharged while 13 have been repatriated to Australian hospitals.

On Saturday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that New Zealand will hold a minute's silence at 2:11pm on Monday, December 16, to remember those impacted by the eruption.

"Wherever you are in New Zealand, or around the world, this is a moment we can stand alongside those who have lost loved ones in this extraordinary tragedy," she said.

"Together we can express our sorrow for those who have died and been hurt, and our support for their grieving families and friends."