Court Overturns Conviction in New Zealand White Island Eruption Case

SYDNEY, 28th February 2025 (BSS/AFP) – New Zealand’s High Court has overturned criminal convictions against a company responsible for granting tourist access to White Island, a volcano that erupted in 2019, tragically killing 22 people.

In December 2019, 47 people were on White Island, also known as Whakaari in the Māori language, when a devastating eruption occurred. A violent column of ash and steam erupted from the volcano, leading to the deaths of 22 individuals. A further 25 people suffered severe burns.

Whakaari Management Limited, the company that issued permits for visitors to the island, had previously been found guilty of failing to meet safety obligations and was fined US$2.7 million in reparations.

However, in a ruling on Friday, High Court Justice Simon Moore quashed the conviction, stating that the company was not responsible for the safety of those visiting the volcano. Moore noted that it was the responsibility of the commercial tour operators, who ferried tourists to the island, to conduct their own safety checks.

“The 47 people who were on Whakaari at the time of the eruption should never have been there,” Moore wrote in his judgement. “It is impossible not to be deeply moved and affected by the sheer scale and nature of the human loss in this case.”

The eruption prompted a large-scale medical response, with victims receiving treatment for burns in hospitals across New Zealand and Australia.

Following the eruption, no further boat or aircraft tours have been permitted to land on the island.

Related Information:

White Island, an active stratovolcano, has been known for its volatile activity and occasional eruptions. It is a popular tourist destination, with visitors often arriving by boat or helicopter. The tragic events of 2019 led to a reassessment of safety regulations for such tours, especially in areas near active volcanoes. Since then, New Zealand has introduced stricter regulations for tourism in hazardous areas to prevent future tragedies.