Nearly six years after the 2019 Whakaari / White Island eruption the first phase of the coronial inquiry into the event begins on Friday in Whakatāne.
Twenty-two people died and 25 people were injured, most of them seriously, after they were on the island when it erupted on December 9, sending ash 3.6km into the air.
The bodies of two victims were never recovered.
Many of those on the island that day were international tourists, and it was expected that there would be a large national and international interest in the coronial inquiry.
The first stage was expected to take six to eight weeks and would be followed by a second stage next year.
The Ministry of Justice said that during the first phase, Coroner Marcus Elliott would be looking at events on the day itself and the emergency response.
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This included issues relating to those who were left on Whakaari, medical treatment given to victims and the timing, location, and cause of each death.
The second phase would look at the time leading up to the eruption, including regulatory oversight of tours to Whakaari, and risk management.
No evidence would be heard at the formal opening in Whakatāne on Friday, which instead would include opening statements.
After the opening day, the inquest would move to Auckland from Monday October 6 after the coroner made the decision to hear evidence at Newmarket after submissions from families and interested parties.
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