In New Zealand, a high-profile criminal case centered on the Whakaari volcano eruption of 2019 concluded with a court ruling that the owners may be held liable for the deaths and injuries resulting from the disaster. The Auckland District Court found Whakaari Management, the company controlled by the Buttle family, guilty of breaching workplace safety regulations. Sentencing proceedings were scheduled for February, aiming to address the responsibility of the organization ahead of a peak tourist period on the island.
On December 9, 2019, Whakaari erupted while a large number of visitors were on or near the site. The eruption caused 22 fatalities and left many others with severe burns, while numerous individuals sustained injuries requiring urgent medical attention at the scene.
The incident is part of a broader narrative about how companies manage iconic natural attractions. During the courtroom proceedings, which were observed by legal observers and press via virtual attendance, the presiding judge, Evangelos Thomas, emphasized that the Whakaari Administration failed to implement essential safety measures intended to protect visitors from the risk of death or serious harm.
“Fatal mistake”
The judge noted that Whakaari Management operates through a trust structure controlled by the Buttle brothers and their family, a framework used since 1936 to oversee tourist activities on the island. The verdict underscored a critical error: the company did not pursue further expert guidance to mitigate volcanic risks, a step the court viewed as a fundamental precaution against foreseeable danger.
It should have been obvious to the management that Whakaari could erupt with little to no warning, carrying a real possibility of severe injury or death. The judge also rejected an additional accusation alleging unsafe working conditions for the company’s own staff.
The trial began in July and highlighted the island’s status as one of New Zealand’s most active and heavily visited volcanoes. Survivors testified that visitors were not adequately informed about the dangers of visiting Whakaari, particularly during periods of heightened volcanic alert. In the months following the tragedy, authorities estimated that a sizable number of people remained on the island as the situation unfolded, creating a tense backdrop for the legal proceedings.
Whakaari Management appeared before the court in accordance with a court order. Several other entities that had previously pleaded guilty faced potential fines and were scheduled for hearings in February 2024. In total, six additional organizations had faced charges in relation to the incident and its handling, alongside the three Buttle brothers in their capacity as directors of Whakaari Management.
At the heart of the case lies a persistent question about accountability in the management of natural site tourism. The court’s findings reflect a judicial expectation that operators of high-risk attractions perform due diligence, acquire expert assessments, and implement safeguards that align with established safety standards. This ruling adds to a broader discussion about safety culture in adventure tourism and the responsibilities of corporate entities to safeguard public welfare. (Source: Court records and contemporary reporting.)
Contact and procedural details previously circulating about the case have been removed in line with policy requirements. The focus remains on the legal outcome, the responsibilities assigned to the Whakaari administration, and the implications for safety practices across the sector. (Source attribution: Court proceedings and regional news coverage.)