The Police Minister says officers are right to hold off heading over to Whakaari White Island.

The death toll from Monday's eruption has risen to six, and 30 victims are in hospitals around the country.

Authorities hope to visit the island today, to recover the bodies of another eight who are unaccounted for, presumed dead.

Stuart Nash told Mike Hosking if they go too early, it could result in another tragedy.

He says there are a lot of poisonous gases there, so police need to make sure it's as safe as it can possibly be, before officers are deployed.

"As people understand, whenever there have been deaths, including multiple deaths, there is going to be an investigation, police will be looking into what has happened."

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