Deteriorating weather will hamper police efforts to recover the two remaining bodies lost in last Monday's deadly volcanic eruption on New Zealand's White Island.
As Foreign Minister Marise Payne visited Wellington to convey Australia's gratitude to first responders on Monday, police and navy divers stationed in Whakatane stayed dry.
The crossing of a storm front, combined with a forecast for thunderstorms all Tuesday is likely to further blunt hopes to return to the water around White Island in search of the outstanding bodies - at least one of which is believed to be Australian.
New Zealand police are frustrated by their inability to return to the active volcano; despite its ongoing volatility.
The threat of another eruption on White Island has been maintained by GeoNet, New Zealand's geological monitoring agency, as between 30 and 45 per cent.
The threat level is as it was prior to the eruption - level two.
As if to underscore the dangerous environment in the Bay of Plenty, a magnitude 5.0 earthquake occurred five kilometres north of Whakaari late on Sunday night.
The tremor took place well underground - 133km below the surface - but was still felt by thousands of Kiwis in nearby Whakatane, Te Kaha and other nearby bayside communities.
The death toll from the eruption of the volcano, also known as Whakaari, currently stands at 16.
The victims were honoured with a minute's silence at 2.11pm NZDT on Monday, exactly a week after the deadly eruption began.
Ardern penned a solemn note on Instagram on Monday morning, recounting the dark week endured by many on both sides of the Tasman Sea.
"There are almost no words for the stories of both the aftermath and the loss that has followed," she wrote.
"I want to pay tribute to the many people who did extraordinary things to save lives - whether it was through rescue efforts or the ongoing response by health professionals across the country.
"To the recovery team who made it their mission to bring loved ones back from the island, right through to the council, emergency management team who have supported the local community all the way through.
"To (local Maori tribe) Ngati Awa, for the outpouring of manaakitanga (hospitality) and support to all that have needed a safe haven during this time.
"Those who have been lost are now forever linked to New Zealand, and we will hold them close."
Ardern announced $NZ5million ($A4.8m) in support to small businesses in Whakatane that will lose revenue following the eruption.
She also said she had been advised that a WorkSafe investigation into the tragedy would likely take a year - the maximum time the workplace regulator can take before the potential laying of charges.
In a meeting with Ardern later on Monday afternoon, Senator Payne conveyed her appreciation on behalf of the Australians who received care after the blast, including 13 who were repatriated home to continue their care.
"I went to Hutt Valley Hospital ... and met some of the medical professionals there that have literally saved lives," she said.
"Medical evacuation of burns victims is extraordinarily difficult and I cannot thank you enough for what those professionals have done, let alone the first responders who took people off the island, brought them back, and saved those lives. It's extraordinary."
Australian Associated Press
