Others sang Amazing Grace.

People met on the Whakatane shore on New Zealand's North Island, near the fence converted to a makeshift memorial with bouquets, letters of support and painted rocks, all well-wishes for the dead and their families after Monday's volcanic blast.

Early on Friday, they gathered to dance, sing and be together while the retrieval mission got underway for eight bodies that police believe are on White Island, also known as Whakaari.

Some carried pictures of their lost family members.

The high-risk mission has been fuelled by the urgings of family members eager to put their lost loved ones at rest.

As police and defence operatives travelled out to Whakaari, a number of family representatives took a similar trip on a White Island Tours boat.

They were able to travel as close as a kilometre to the volcano - some for the first time - in the early hours of Friday morning.

There, they held a spiritual service, before heading back to Whakatane.

"It was very emotional as you could expect," Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement said.

"I think people got a great sense of fulfilment, they were able to grieve for their whanau (family).

"For people that don't come from this place they saw something of New Zealand culture and understand the way we are.

"It was a fantastic opportunity for everybody. It's very deeply emotional for everyone involved including the police staff.

"Being close to the island and their whanau was really important for everybody. I think that was the absolute right thing to do."

Other family members, locals and friends gathered in the parkland by the water, waiting for updates.

By the water, members of the local Maori tribe Ngata Awa sang, their voices helping everyone manage the morning's anxiety.

Australian Associated Press