Foreign Minister Marise Payne has held back tears as she described the toll that the White Island eruption has taken on victims' families.

"I don’t think anyone of us can begin to imagine what those families are facing in the coming weeks and months," Senator Payne said after visiting emergency services workers and the injured in hospital in New Zealand.

Her remarks come as Sydney teen Winona Langford, 17, was identified by New Zealand Police as one of two people who are still missing but presumed dead in the wake of the eruption.

"Here in places like Auckland and Sydney, we’re surrounded by Christmas and celebration but [the families] face tragedy and devastation," Senator Payne said.