Whakaari/White Island: No council plans to evacuate in wake of eruption

Wednesday, 5 February 2020

Helicopter pilots who helped fly victims of the White Island eruption had a tough job.

There were no official plans to evacuate victims on the day White Island/Whakaari erupted, council reports have revealed.

The task to evacuate victims was instead undertaken by commercial pilots and a tour operator vessel, who collectively saved more than 30 people.

The response to the deadly volcano eruption on December 9 was initially coordinated by the council-supported Whakatāne Emergency Operations Centre.

However, the rescue response was always going to be managed by police, a Bay of Plenty Regional Council spokesman said.

* Whakaari/White Island: Pilot rushes to help but couldn't save friend

* Whakaari/White Island: Helicopter pilot said 'conditions perfect', but tremors prompt warning**

A photo of White Island about two hours after the eruption shows the location of two helicopters. The one on the left was the Volcanic Air chopper pushed off its wooden landing base and badly damage. The other flew in as part of the rescue mission.

The volatility of the volcano meant no rescue attempts were made - instead a body recovery mission took place four days later.

Troves of documents were released by the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Emergency Management Bay of Plenty and Whakatāne District Council, under the Official Information Act.

Over five days, 15 situation reports - which provided summaries of the incident at specific times during the day - were prepared.

NZDF Colonel Rian McKinstry shows us what the recovery team wore to stay safe during their White Island operation (This video was first published in December 2020).

The first, at 5.15pm - three hours after the eruption - noted unconfirmed reports of fatalities, and factors likely to affect the rescue response, which included volcanic ash.

By the third report, dated 4.20am, December 10, there was mention of having a communications plan prepared.

'Regular communications briefings to manage public interest and Whakaari Tourism branding. Coms plan being prepared 10/12,' the report said.

This plan then became a key focus.

Four hours later, at 8.35am: 'Information management remains to be a key focus, with aims to control information/misinformation.'

Officials noted 29 people on two buses, who were related to the victims, were on their way Whakatāne.

There was note of a body cool store being established at Whakatāne airport.

As well as situation reports, action plans were also prepared.

All six plans contained tasks to be accomplished within a set time, which included providing welfare for the survivors, families of the survivors, and staff involved. It also contained updates and surveillance of the island and any volcanic activity.

A communications plan, information management, and a focus on media and public affairs, continued to be among the key focuses throughout the week.

The first plan, which was operational by 9pm on December 9, listed one of three objectives as 'support the NZ police as necessary with rescue and reconciliation efforts'.

By 9am the next day, there was no further mention of a rescue plan, instead a recovery plan was being prepared.

The action plans show officials were ready to recover bodies on Wednesday, December 11, but the attempt was called off as conditions on the island were unsafe.

Mark Law was one the pilots who rescued victims from Whakaari/White Island.

The recovery of six bodies from Whakaari/White Island took place two days later.

Emergency Management Bay of Plenty director Clinton Naude said the action plans were there to ensure a coordinated effort.

Police commissioner Mike Bush confirms that the search for two bodies continues, and six have been recovered.

'As can be seen through the various action plans, supporting police to undertake the rescue and recovery operation was the number one objective throughout.

'As we have mentioned, the rescue and recovery operation on December 9 was led and coordinated by New Zealand Police.

'You will see from the action plans that this was not a priority over the rescue and recovery operation or the provision of welfare support to those affected by the eruption.

'Mention of this reflects the awareness and understanding of the wide and far reaching impacts this event.'

The reports also mentioned the friction between local iwi Ngāti Awa and police.

'Ngāti Awa liason in the Whakatāne EOC has requested strengthening of the flow of information to Ngāti Awa … advised they have been adversely affected by erroneous police statement related to 'criminal investigation'.'

The latter referred to a police statement released the day after the eruption that said a criminal investigation was underway. Police issued an apology for the mistake.

Forty-seven people were on the island when it erupted. Of those, 21 are now dead, including the two whose bodies have not been recovered, while most survivors suffered critical or serious injuries.

In the days after the eruption, hero pilot Mark Law was critical of the response by officials.

At the time, he told Stuff he could get to the bodies on Whakaari/White Island in 20 minutes and he knew where the bodies were.

But red tape and further volcanic tremors have put a halt to that.

He later helped police recover the bodies on the island.