A teenage tour guide who was on Whakaari/White Island when it erupted has been cleared by his medical team for day leave from hospital.
Jake Milbank, 19, sustained burns to 80 percent of his body while working as a guide for White Island Tours during the eruption on December 9, 2019.
He moved to Middlemore Hospital's National Burns Centre in January after previously being in an intensive care unit.
On Wednesday evening he shared a photo on Instagram of him and his dog, saying that was the "first thing on my list" to go and see.
"After more than three long months in hospital things are finally starting to look up as my medical team have cleared me for day leave," he wrote.
"Such an awesome feeling to be back out in the real world breathing in some fresh air."
He wanted to give everyone a "huge thank you" who had helped in his recovery so far.
The death toll for the eruption stands at 21.
