Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha says the recovery team will "definitely" be returning to White Island to search for the bodies of the two remaining victims of Monday's eruption.
"The operation hasn't finished," Haumaha told reporters in Whakatane.
"Everything that is going to be done will be done. Nothing will be left to chance."
Six bodies were recovered on Friday, with Haumaha saying families of the victims were "jubilant" at the news they had been recovered.
"[There were] sighs of relief, joy, clapping and just appreciation that this phase of the operation has been successful in terms of returning the six bodies off the island," he said.
"These people have been waiting patiently and just to hear the news that the recovery process has gone really well, they're just absolutely ecstatic."
There was also feelings of aroha and sadness for the two not yet recovered, he said.
Haumaha said families had gone out near the island early on Friday morning with local iwi to lift the tapu off the island before the bodies were recovered.
The recovered bodies would now be taken to Auckland, Haumaha said.
