Crime and Justice
1News

Whakaari: Judge details fines, reparations to be paid

By 1News Reporters
March 1, 2024
Whakaari / White Island.

Whakaari / White Island. (Source: 1News)

Six parties today will learn their fate as they are sentenced in the Auckland District Court over health and safety failings in the lead up to 2019's deadly Whakaari eruption, which saw 22 people lose their lives.

What you need to know

  • Six parties will be sentenced today for health and safety breaches before the December 2019 eruption - none of the charges are connected to anything that happened after the eruption such as rescue efforts.
  • 22 people lost their lives in the eruption, and 25 suffered serious injuries.
  • Whakaari Management Limited (WML) manages the island on behalf of its owners the Buttle brothers and is directed by them. WML was found guilty of one charge after a lengthy trial last year.
  • Research institute GNS Science pleaded guilty to one charge while tour companies White Island Tours, Volcanic Air Safaris, Aerius Limited and Kahu New Zealand each were found guilty of two charges.
New ZealandNatural DisastersCrime and JusticeAucklandTauranga and Bay of PlentyVolcanoes

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