Family members of two young Australians who died in the Whakaari-White Island eruption spoke at the fifth anniversary memorial event on Monday.

The midday, invitation-only commemoration, Whakaari Whakamaumahara, was hosted by Te Mānuka Tutahi Marae in Whakatāne and attended by more than 180 people, at least 40 of whom had travelled from Australia and Britain.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa chairman Tu O’Brien said the day of the 2019 eruption, which claimed the lives of 22 people, had left an indelible mark, “not only on Ngāti Awa, but also on many families around the world”.

In the days that followed this devastating event, the marae became a place of safety, peace and refuge for family, first responders and members of the wider community who gathered to grieve, to pray, and to draw strength from one another, he said.

A dawn service at The Heads saw people gathered from as far away as Britain and Australia, as well as locally, to remember those who died as a result of the 2019 eruption.

“Each year since then, we have continued to remember. The families of those affected have formed enduring relationships.

“Just as we care for our tupuna, who have passed, we are now bound to care for those who lost their lives on December 9, 2019. Their memories belong here in the embrace of Ngāti Awa and the Whakatāne community. You and your loved ones will forever be part of our family.”

Peter Elzer, father of Whakaari victim Richard Elzer, expressed gratitude for the day on behalf of the family members of the deceased who had travelled from overseas.

Photographs of the deceased were placed in a position of honour front of the Mātaatua whare.

The sister of teen victim Zoe Hosking also spoke about her sibling, who she was “very close” with, and thanked everyone for being there.

“As much as the circumstances are very heartbreaking, it’s very healing and comforting to see such a beautiful community gathered.

“She was such a beautiful girl with an even more beautiful soul,” she said.

At dawn on Monday, a public event was held beside Te Hau Tutua Park at The Heads where karakia and prayers in several different denominations were led and pōhutukawa flowers were dropped into the ocean.

Pōhutukawa flowers were dropped into the ocean during the morning service.

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa and Whakatāne District Council worked together on the two events in Whakatāne this year to commemorate the day.

Families of at least 15 of the victims of the eruption carried photographs of the deceased on to the marae where they sat in a place of honour at the front of the wharenui.

Ngāti Awa kaumātua Joe Harawira welcomed everyone inside the Mātaatua whare.

There was a strong police presence at the Whakaari Whakamaumahara event, with both dignitaries and first responders involved in the 2019 event.

Speeches were delivered by Minister of Emergency Management and Recovery and Minister of Police Mark Mitchell, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, Australian High Commissioner Harinder Sidhu, British Consul General Reshaad Durgahee and Whakatāne Mayor Victor Luca.

Harawira also read a speech on behalf of the Deputy Police Commissioner of the time, now retired, Wallace Haumaha.

A minute’s silence was held at 2.11pm - the time Whakaari began to erupt five years ago – followed by a waiata, Te Puketapu ki Paepaeaotea, composed and performed by Maisey Rika after the tragedy to guide the spirits of the deceased to heaven.

Later in the day, the design for a memorial statue by sculptor Peter Takutaimoana-Harawira was unveiled to the family members for their approval.

Fundraising is under way for the memorial. It is not yet decided exactly where the statue will be erected but a Whakatāne District Council spokesperson said the families had indicated they would like to see it near the waterfront at The Heads.