As tourists wearing lanyards made their way to and from the Port of Tauranga's Mount Maunganui gates, a little boy and his mother placed a bunch of purple gerberas a few meters away.
Renee Emberson said news of the White Island tragedy hit close to home for her and son Declan, 4.
"It was so unexpected. Those people were visitors to our country. It has hit us quite hard. Whakatane is so close to where we are.
"I wanted to bring my son to pay our respects."