Whakaari/White Island owners charged over fatal eruption

Tuesday, 1 December 2020

The owners of Whakaari/White Island are among the 13 parties charged over the volcanic eruption that killed 22 people last December.

Lawyer Brendan Meech, acting for Whakaari Management Ltd and its three directors, James, Peter and Andrew Buttle, confirmed they have been charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

Whakaari Management is a private company associated with family ownership of the island and it granted licences to operators taking tours to the active volcano.

“We’re advised the charges are against the company and also the three directors, but we don’t have details as yet.”

**READ MORE:

Whakaari White Island was a major draw card for overseas tourists and 47 guides and visitors were on the island when it erupted on December 9 last year.

* Whakaari - it's not all up to the courts

* GNS Science, White Island Tours included in 13 WorkSafe prosecutions over Whakaari/White Island eruption

* Whakaari/White Island eruption death toll rises to 22 as anniversary nears

* White Island Tours running trips to Moutohorā Whale Island

“They will not be making further comment while the legal proceedings continue, other than to express their sorrow for those who have suffered as a result of the tragedy,” said Meech.

WorkSafe announced on Tuesday that 10 organisations and three individuals had been charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015, but it refused to identify any of those involved in case they sought name suppression when they appeared in the Auckland District Court on December 15.

However, tour operators White Island Tours and Volcanic Air, GNS Science, and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have all so far publicly stated that they have been charged over the tragedy.