Media advisory: User-generated information on the Family Links website

Wellington, 11 December 2019

This advisory seeks to clarify the function of the New Zealand Red Cross Family Links website and the information visible following the Whakaari/White Island eruption. We are concerned that some media are reporting this list as an official register, which is causing unnecessary distress to people and families affected.

The Family Links website is not an official list. The Family Links website does not host an official list of missing persons. The information on the Family Links website is user-generated, submitted by members of the public. Concerned family or loved ones, or people wishing to mark themselves as safe, submit information to this website.

Official information on persons affected is managed by New Zealand Police. All questions related to people potentially affected by this disaster should be directed to New Zealand Police. New Zealand Red Cross cannot discuss confidential information with any person.

We are working as quickly as possible to update this information and reassure members of the public. This is an ongoing operation. We continue to update information on this website, working closely with enquirers wherever possible to ensure that information is as accurate as possible.

The most important thing people can do is update any information they have registered on the website. As we work to ensure that people affected are supported, members of the public can help too. If someone has registered a person as ‘missing’ who they have subsequently made contact with, we strongly encourage them to update the information on the website. If you have information about a person listed on this website, you can send a message to us through the website. Updating this information helps us focus our efforts.

Mary Baines, New Zealand Red Cross Communications Manager

mary.baines@redcross.org.nz, +64 27 262 3922