New Zealand will return to White Island volcano "as soon as possible" to retrieve two bodies still to be recovered, said Australian Foreign Minister Marise Payne on Friday.

A New Zealand military team earlier recovered six bodies successfully from Whakaari-White Island, according to deputy police commissioner John Tims.

Recovery teams had good knowledge of the location of the six people before landing.

The whereabouts of the two others were less certain because of equipment constraints.

Military personnel worked as quickly as possible after using helicopters to land on White Island, which experts have said still has a 50-60 percent chance of another eruption over the coming hours.

A team of elite New Zealand soldiers began a risky operation Friday morning to recover the bodies of eight victims presumed killed during Monday's volcano eruption on White Island, the Associated Press reported. Eight others are already confirmed dead.

Police said two helicopters from the New Zealand Defense Force carried eight military specialists to the island. All wore protective clothing and used breathing apparatuses.

Scientists warned that the gases on the island are so toxic and corrosive that inhaling them could be fatal. Scientists also warned of increased volcanic activity and described the island as "highly volatile."

Police, military and other personnel will monitor the operation from a ship positioned just off White Island.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern expressed her condolences to the families of victims of the White Island volcano eruption at a press conference on Friday.

On Saturday, New Zealand divers searched contaminated waters near the volcanic White Island for the two remaining bodies, as the death toll from an eruption rose to 15 people, the police said.