Three companies charged in the wake of the deadly Whakaari White Island eruption have pleaded guilty.
Volcanic Air Safaris Ltd, Aerius Ltd and Kahu NZ Ltd pleaded guilty to amended charges in Auckland District Court on Friday, ahead of the trial that was starting Monday and set down for weeks.
The commercial helicopter tour operators were each convicted on two charges by Judge Evangelos Thomas and were to appear in court again in August.
The charges, filed by WorkSafe under the Health and Safety at Work Act after a near 12-month investigation, related to having staff and tourists on the island in the lead-up to the eruption.
The amended charges said the companies failed to comply with a duty to ensure the health and safety of workers and tourists.
Forty-seven people were on the crater when it erupted on 9 December 2019, with 22 later dying from extreme burns and blast injuries.
'The survivors, and the family and whānau of those who passed, will be in many people's thoughts today,” said WorkSafe chief executive Phil Parkes.
'Whakaari was an absolute tragedy, and we remember everyone who was impacted.
Judge Evangelos Thomas is presiding over the Whakaari/White Island trial. Photo: Lawrence Smith/Stuff.
'These pleas acknowledge the processes that should have been in place to look after people's health and safety on the day Whakaari erupted.”
Judge Thomas noted at the start of the hearing, it was important to pause, acknowledge, remember and honour those who perished and those who suffered greatly.
Also, to those who continue to suffer, and the friends and whānau impacted across the world.
Six parties had now pleaded guilty to health and safety failings related to operations around Whakaari.
The remaining defendants were facing a judge-alone trial next week, originally scheduled for 16 weeks.
Worksafe prosecutors Dennis Dow and Steve Symon in court on Friday. Photo: Lawrence Smith/Stuff.
It would begin with an iwi opening on Monday afternoon, with the trial to kick off on Tuesday.
White Island Tours and GNS Science earlier pleaded guilty to charges filed by WorkSafe, but had not yet been sentenced.
The charges against White Island Tours related to having staff and tourists on the island in the lead-up to the eruption.
The charges against GNS related to multiple field trips its staff took to the island, before the eruption, and the institute's failure in its duty to the helicopter pilots, who were contractors.
All court matters up to this point have been held in the Whakatāne District Court out of respect for the victims and families involved.
The trial was being held in Auckland due to venue suitability.
4 comments
Farcical
Posted on 07-07-2023 16:43 | By Helo1
What an absolute joke, poor excuse for a govt department Worksafe is! Maybe they might look at Ruapehu now? A ski field on an active volcano. You can’t control Mother Nature.
Agree Hello1
Posted on 07-07-2023 18:40 | By k Smith
After the incident work safe/ government jumped in this to make money. Where were the rules and regulations guidelines before the incidents? I see now they are implementing the regulations after this, the horse has bolted let's close the doors. Worksafe and the government let off the culprits who kid 29 miners at pike river. Absolute disgrace.
Hmmm
Posted on 08-07-2023 01:02 | By Let's get real
I would suggest that the guilty pleas are the cheapest option. I don't imagine that a government department would concern themselves too much, if an ongoing court case caused any number of businesses to go under financially. Win at any cost, it's not our money.
Worksafe
Posted on 08-07-2023 22:31 | By BJWD
I want to know why Worksafe aren't charging themselves? After-all they approved all these companies to trade, and passed them all fit for purpose! These companies couldn't trade without the sign-off from work-safe! (i wonder if this comment will be posted, most likely be censored!)
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