47 people were on the island when the volcano erupted, according to NZ Police.
23 people who were on White Island when it erupted were removed.
Many of the people on White Island on Monday were from cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, which had been travelling around New Zealand after departing from Australia.
The cone volcano, which is New Zealand’s most active, erupted on Monday afternoon, with police alerted to the activity at 2.17pm.
Rescue helicopters attended the scene and an emergency operation centre was set up at Whakatane Hospital.
Ambulance officers from Whakatane also travelled to White Island via Coast Guard.
