Recovery of bodies

Recovery of bodies in NZ volcano eruption underway

The high-risk mission to recover the bodies left behind after Monday's deadly eruption started at 8am.

Police national operation commander Deputy Commissioner John Tims said the process to transport them to the navy ship by helicopter had begun.

He said one body had been successfully recovered and is now on board HMNZS Wellington.

The operation to recover the remaining bodies continues.

Earlier police said they expected the recovery operation to continue for another couple of hours.