Morning Report

The operation to recover eight bodies on Whakaari/White Island is underway.

There has been an increase of activity in the airport.

RNZ reporter Ben Strang is at the airport.

The Black Caps seamer Neil Wagner says the team is gutted for fast bowler Lochie Ferguson, who had his test debut cruelly cut short by injury.

Pilot alcohol and drug treatment courts in Auckland and Waitakere are now permanent, and a third will open next year in Hamilton.

Waikato Alcohol and Drug Community Support Trust director Stephen King has been campaigning for a court to be set up in Hamilton.

He speaks to Corin Dann.

The government is being urged to cede power to Māori so they can find their own solutions to improve the criminal justice system.

Two reports were published yesterday, one by the Safe and Effective Justice Advisory Group and the other by the Chief Victims Advisor.

Both recommend changes to the system, with an emphasis on by-Māori for-Māori solutions.

Māori news correspondent Leigh-Marama McLachlan reports.

Victims of the Whakaari/White Island explosion have been flown by specialist air ambulance services around the country and to Australia.

The New Zealand Air Ambulance Service has played a key role in the patients' transport and intensive care.

Dr Shay McGuinness is the service's medical director.

British voters have been at the polls today voting in a general election.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson called the general election - hoping to win more seats for his party so he can get his Brexit deal across the line.

RNZ's correspondent in London is Rob Watson.

A highly technical operation is under way to get Australians badly hurt in the Whakaari/White Island disaster back home to their families.

Seven Australian patients have so far been flown to either Sydney or Melbourne and a further six are expected to be transferred by the end of today.

Matthew Theunnissen reports.

Mark Law is the owner of Kāhu NZ and was one of the pilots who rescued people after the eruption. .

He has been involved in planning the recovery mission and speaks to Kim Hill.

Ngāti Awa rangatira, Te Kei Merito, will accompany the recovery team to the island to conduct the necessary tikanga and provide spiritual support to the recovery team.

Paul Quinn is the Chair of Ngati Awa Group Holdings and White Island Tours.

He speaks to Kim Hill.

A recovery mission is underway on Whakaari/White Island.

About 50 whānau, friends and locals gathered at the cordon at the Whakatāne boat ramp before dawn, where their karakia and waiata rang out across the harbour.

Poppy Rika was among those gathered at the cordon this morning.

She says she recently rejected an offer for a job as a tour guide on the island -- and she was there to tautoko, or support, whanau who are going through a hard time at the moment.

RNZ reporter Katie Scotcher is in Whakatāne at the cordon.