The Family Who Owns Whakaari Got Slapped With A Lawsuit After The Tragedy
The Netflix documentary The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari dives into the tragic story of the unexpected eruption of New Zealand’s Whakaari volcano in December 2019.
The eruption occurred while 47 people were visiting Whakaari (also called White Island), where the volcano is located. During the eruption and its aftermath, 22 people—including some teens as young 13—died in the blast, per RNZ. Emergency crews had difficulty rescuing survivors due to the volcanic ash and heat, which made the situation even more deadly.
But where is Whakaari volcano, exactly, and is it currently open to visitors? Here’s the latest:
Where is Whakaari?
Whakaari is a volcano that’s also known as White Island. It’s located in the Bay of Plenty, 30 miles from New Zealand’s North Island.
The Smithsonian's Global Volcanism Program says that the island's volcano has "been New Zealand’s most active volcano since 1976." It is still considered an active volcano.
Who owns Whakaari?
The island is owned by three brothers: Andrew, James, and Peter Buttle, under the company name of Whakaari Management Ltd, per RNZ. The island was first purchased in 1936 by the brothers' grandfather, Auckland stockbroker George Raymond Buttle.
Following the 2019 explosion, the company was charged with failing to understand the volcano’s hazards, failing to ensure tourists would be safe, and failing to make sure there was a safe way to evacuate, RNZ reported. However, the family argued that tour companies that were granted permission to visit the island were ultimately responsible for the safety of the tourists there.
Back in October of 2022, they asked for charges against them to be dropped in court. The family's lawyer told the Auckland District Court that "the family had little influence over the tours," per RNZ.
What's the latest on the lawsuits?
In December of 2022, RNZ reported that 11 of the 13 groups "charged with health and safety law breaches" in the incident have pleaded not guilty and will head to trial in July of 2023. This includes two helicopter operators, the Buttles, and a tour group.
A charge against the National Emergency Management Agency and one of two charges against GNS Science, a research institute, have been dismissed. One tour company has pleaded guilty in "failing to undertake an adequate risk assessment, or implement appropriate controls to ensure the health and safety of tourists," the outlet said.
Can you still visit Whakaari?
Kind of. The Whakaari website acknowledges the destruction wreaked by the December 2019 eruption, noting that “as a result of the eruption event, there are currently no on-land tours of the island in operation.”
However, the website explains, you can still see the island through scenic flights, lookout points, and virtually visit through an interactive exhibit known as the Whakaari/White Island Experience Room.
When did the volcano last erupt?
The volcano’s last known eruption was on Dec. 9, 2019, according to the Smithsonian Institute. However, there have been gas and steam emissions, along with “continuing unrest” at the volcano since then, Institute says.
The Volcano: Rescue From Whakaari is streaming now on Netflix.
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