Mount Tongariro Eruption - Videos

Mount Tongariro on New Zealand's North Island has erupted with a 2km-high ash plume seen in the sky and residents reporting the sulphur is making it harder to breathe.

GNS Science confirmed the eruption, at the Te Maari crater, happened shortly after 1.20pm. It is the second eruption on the mountain this year; an eruption on August 6 was the first on Tongariro for more than 100 years.

Up to 90 Napier schoolchildren were on the mountain, two hours into a tramp on the Tongariro track, but are reportedly safe and well.