James and Diane Kirby of Collaroy listed as missing in New Zealand are confirmed alive

A retired northern beaches couple feared caught up in Monday’s volcano tragedy and listed as missing by the New Zealand Red Cross, are alive.

Steam rises from the White Island volcano following the December 9 volcanic eruption, in Whakatane on December 11, 2019. Picture: Marty Melville.

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A northern beaches couple who were named on an official list of missing people feared to be caught up in the New Zealand volcano disaster are alive.

James and Diane Kirby, of Collaroy, known to friends as Jim and Di, were listed as missing by the New Zealand Red Cross following the tragedy on White Island on Monday.

So far six people have been confirmed dead and eight are believed to be missing on the island.

An image posted to Instagram showing the helicopter that was destroyed in the White Island volcanic eruption.

Some of the tourists involved were on a cruise and the trip to the volcano was part of an excursion.

Mr and Mrs Kirby, who are retired and in their 70s, are on a three week trip to New Zealand, but were on a different cruise at the time of the incident.

They only made contact with family a couple of hours ago, and were unaware they were listed as missing.

The couple’s sons James and John said their parents had not returned their messages and calls following the tragedy on Monday. Their parents finally made contact with younger son John late this morning.

Clearly relieved, James told the Manly Daily he was delighted to hear his parents were well.

He said they had initially been very worried.

“They are on the missing list but they can now be removed,” son James said.

“They are on a cruise but we did not know which ship they were on and we have not been able to contact them for a few days.”

Alan Bate, 75, of Collaroy, outside the house of neighbours James and Diane Kirby. Picture: Julie Cross

Neighbours Alan and Rhonda Bate who have lived next door to the Kirbys for 28 years, said their neighbours were lovely and said they were not the type to visit an active volcano.

“They are not risk takers,” Mr Bate, 75, said. “They are not adventurous. It would be the last thing I’d expect them to do.”

He said the couple were mad golfers, members of Long Reef Golf Club, and were due back on Friday.

When told they had been confirmed alive, he told the Manly Daily it was “great news”.

There are 19 Australians on the official missing list.