Whakaari / White Island Eruption: Inquest Reveals Lingering Questions and Emergency Response Scrutiny
Table of Contents
The 2019 eruption of Whakaari / White Island in the Bay of Plenty, which claimed 22 lives and left 25 seriously injured, remains a source of profound grief and unanswered questions, as a coronial inquest continues to examine the events leading up to and following the disaster. The inquest, currently underway, is probing the actions of tour operators, emergency responders, and regulatory bodies in the wake of the tragedy.
The eruption, which occurred on December 9, 2019, involved 47 people on the volcanic island at the time. The initial criminal prosecution of multiple parties in 2024 – including Whakaari Management Ltd (WML), tour operators, helicopter operators, and the Institute of Geological Nuclear Sciences (GNS) – yielded convictions, but WML’s conviction was later overturned on appeal.
A family member of Hayden Marshall-Inman, a tour guide who died during the eruption, recently delivered an emotional statement expressing ongoing frustration and a need for clarity. “We lose part of our identity when someone we love dies… I know I have, and there’s no way to avoid that,” the family member stated, highlighting the enduring pain felt by those affected. The family member specifically voiced concerns regarding risk assessments and safety protocols employed by tour operators, hoping the inquest will provide answers. They also expressed distress over learning of the death through media channels.
Emergency Response Under Scrutiny
A range of agencies involved in the emergency response – including Police, Hato Hone St John Ambulance, Health New Zealand (HNZ), Fire and Emergency, and WorkSafe – have presented their initial findings at the inquest, welcoming scrutiny of their actions. Anna Pollett, representing the police, expressed hope that the inquiry would offer a path toward healing for survivors and families.
The police evidence will focus on the resources available in the Whakatāne region at the time, the challenges of communication in a remote area – particularly issues with mobile coverage – and delays in communication between agencies. A significant point of investigation will be the decision-making process surrounding the decision not to return to the island after police received information suggesting no survivors remained. This decision, acknowledged by Pollett, had a “deep impact” on families whose loved ones’ bodies were not recovered for a week.
Unprecedented Demand and Resource Challenges
The scale of the disaster placed an “extreme demand” on emergency responders, according to Craig Stevens, lawyer for St John ambulance. He noted the unprecedented number of casualties with complex burn injuries, coupled with a scarcity of information about the eruption itself. Whakatane Hospital’s limited capacity necessitated the establishment of a triage center at Whakatane Airport to facilitate the distribution of patients nationally. Stevens indicated that St John would present evidence from medical professionals involved in the coordination of the response, while maintaining that their actions did not adversely impact survivorship. He emphasized the organization’s commitment to continuous improvement.
Scope of the Coronial Inquiry
Over the next eight weeks, the coronial inquiry will meticulously examine the events of December 9, 2019, and the subsequent emergency and medical response. Forty-nine witnesses, including survivors, eyewitnesses, civilians who assisted, and official responders, are scheduled to provide testimony.
Christina Twyman, a lawyer assisting the coroner, outlined the key areas of focus: how individuals came to be on the island, the sequence of events before, during, and after the eruption, and the coordination of the emergency response. Critical questions will be raised regarding the rationale behind decisions to limit or stand down responders and whether those decisions contributed to any deaths. The inquiry will also scrutinize communication breakdowns and delays, the decision to cease rescue efforts, and the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the eight people whose bodies remained on the island. Twyman specifically questioned the lack of an immediate official air response, asking, “who had authority for and actually made decisions that led to no official landing on Whakaari until several hours after the eruption?”
Visual Evidence Presented
The inquiry has been presented with a 3D simulated map of Whakaari / White Island, along with videos and photographs documenting the events of the day. Footage showed cruise passengers arriving in Whakatāne and traveling to the island via rubber boats to a dilapidated jetty – the sole access point. Other videos depicted the island’s rugged terrain, safety ropes, and the brief safety briefings provided to tourists, including instruction on mask usage.
The inquest continues as authorities seek to understand the full scope of the tragedy and prevent similar disasters in the future.
