A mother and daughter who are the first two Australians confirmed killed in the New Zealand volcano blast are being described as people who loved cruising and never shied away from adventure.

Twenty-four Australians were among a group of tourists on White Island, when a violent eruption occurred on Monday afternoon.

It’s still not known how many were killed.

Family spokesman John Mickel says they are now coming to terms with the tragedy of losing Julie Richards and her daughter Jessica.

Oliver Peterson got the latest from Nine News reporter Lizzie Pearl.

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