The death toll of the Whakaare/White Island disaster has risen to 21.

A police statement on Wednesday evening confirmed another person had died from injuries sustained in the December 9 eruption.

Deputy Commissioner John Tims, National Operations Commander said the injured person died at Middlemore Hospital last night from their injuries.

"The death brings the official number of deceased to 21, 19 of whom died in New Zealand and two in Australia," he said.

The deceased will be named after their wider family has been informed, he said.