Another person has died from injuries suffered in the White Island/Whakaari eruption last year, police have confirmed - less than a fortnight out from the one-year anniversary of the disaster.
It takes the death toll from the December 9, 2019 eruption to 22.
Police say the death of Horst Westenfelder occurred on July 2 this year, at a hospital overseas.
The 64-year-old German died as a result of "medical complications" that arose while he was receiving treatment for the injuries he sustained in the White Island tragedy, they say.
"Our thoughts are with the friends and family of Mr Westenfelder who have requested privacy as they are still coming to terms with the death of their much-loved husband, father and grandfather," police said in a statement.
It's not clear why police waited more than four months to release the information.
Westenfelder's widow Angelika - who was on the island herself when it erupted - described her late husband as an "irreplaceable loss for our family, his friends and of course for myself".
"Our lives have changed!" she wrote.
"It is unbelievable, how many months my joyful, sensible and strong husband 'Horsti', was fighting for his life and I am thankful to everyone who was thinking of us and helping us during that very hard time. He lost this battle and started his last journey in July.
"In loving memory of a full and exciting life. I will always miss you."'
The Whakaari/White Island tragedy is one of the deadliest natural disasters in New Zealand's history.
Forty-seven people were on the island when it erupted. The 25 survivors all suffered severe injuries as a result of the burns they suffered.
A public memorial on the first anniversary of the disaster on December 9 will be held at 11:30am at the Mataatua Reserve in Whakatāne.
