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Two Australian families with loved ones killed in the New Zealand volcano tragedy have issued statements as authorities release the names of more Aussies confirmed dead in the disaster.
NZ Police, shortly before midday on Monday, confirmed Australians Jessica Richards, 20, Jason Griffiths, 33, Martin Hollander, 48 and Kristine Langford, 45, have been identified and confirmed dead.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said the WorkSafe investigation into the “harm and loss of life” caused by the eruption may take up to a year.
“Tour operators, cruiseship happenings, emergency responders and land owners fall under this. WorkSafe can prosecute for breaches of the act and penalties in criminal sanctions range from $50,000 to $3 million and up to five years in prison,” Ms Ardern said.
“The coronial processes are also likely to continue for some time. As a cabinet, we know that it is possible there will be broader issues that won’t be covered by these inquiries.”
The PM added that the cabinet approved a $5 million fund for the impact of recent events, both in Whakatane and Westland.
“This fund will focus on small businesses who may have been adversely affected,” Ms Ardern said. “Obviously, we have criteria that has been established for past events that may have had similar effects on small businesses.”
Jason Griffiths was holidaying with a group of friends when he and couple Karla Mathews and Rick Elzer broke off from the group to visit White Island on December 9.
The PM added that the cabinet approved a $5 million fund for the impact of recent events, both in Whakatane and Westland.
“This fund will focus on small businesses who may have been adversely affected,” Ms Ardern said. “Obviously, we have criteria that has been established for past events that may have had similar effects on small businesses.”
Jason Griffiths was holidaying with a group of friends when he and couple Karla Mathews and Rick Elzer broke off from the group to visit White Island on December 9.
The eruption left Ms Mathews and Mr Elzer missing, presumed dead, while Mr Griffiths, who suffered extensive burns and head trauma, died after being evacuated to hospital.
Ms Mathews was confirmed dead on Sunday evening.
Her brother and sister, on Monday, said their sister had been one of the six bodies recovered from the island on Friday by NZ authorities.
“Our family is absolutely heartbroken and our big sister will be incredibly missed,” Kirk Mathews Boden and Nicola Mathews said in a statement.
“We have an enormous sense of relief that she has finally been found and we patiently wait with the Elzer family for news of Karla’s partner Rick so we are able to bring them home together.”
The family thanked Australian and New Zealand governments for their work following the tragedy.
“We would like to especially thank the New Zealand Police for their unwavering efforts towards reuniting all families with their lost loved ones,” they wrote.
The confirmation came alongside an image of the Coffs Harbour couple, sharply dressed and smiling for the camera.
Relatives of Ms Langford and her husband Anthony, who was confirmed dead on Sunday, issued a statement at the same time.
“Anthony and Kristine, loving parents to Jesse and Winona, were a wonderful couple and devoted to both their immediate and extended families,” the statement reads.
“They will be greatly missed by all who knew them.”
Their 17-year-old daughter, Winona, remains unaccounted for while the couples’ son, Jesse, is receiving “excellent care” and is recovering in hospital, the statement said.
The cruise liner that many of the Australian victims were travelling on at the time of the disaster, the Ovation of the Seas, pulled into Sydney’s Circular Quay just hours earlier.
Thousands of passengers alighted from the ship with many speaking of “eerie” and “sombre” scenes on board when news broke some of their fellow passengers had died ashore.
The ship’s return comes one day after NSW Health confirmed the death of another victim, a man who was repatriated to Australia for treatment but died in Sydney’s Concord Hospital on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the son of two Australians injured in the eruption says the timeline for his parents’ recovery is uncertain and they could face months in hospital.
Sydney couple Nick and Marion London, who are both in a critical condition, were flown back to Australia for treatment last week at Concord Hospital.
They have burns to 50 per cent of their bodies and internal chemical burns from breathing in toxic gases.
Family friend Colin Cool, who met Mr London while working at a radio station in 1978, described the pair as “brothers” and “treated like family”.
“I last saw Nick and Marion when we dined together in the city just over a month ago. They were looking forward to their next cruise on the Ovation of the Seas,” Mr Cool said.
“As regular cruisers, they were no stranger to this vessel. Sadly, this journey was to end tragically for them.”
Mr London and his wife – who met through university while studying physics – are at Concord Hospital where they are being treated for significant burns.
A GoFundMe page set up by family friend Tom Nieuwlandand has nearly reached more than $13,000, which will go towards the medical bills and financial support.
“Thank you everyone for your kindness and generosity so far. We have smashed the initial goal of $5000 which should alleviate some of the short term strain for the London’s but there is
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