Sun Mar 02 06:10:00 UTC 2025: ## White Island Volcano Owners Cleared of Criminal Negligence in 2019 Eruption
**Auckland, New Zealand** – A New Zealand judge has overturned the criminal convictions of Whakaari Management, the owners of White Island volcano, in connection with the 2019 eruption that killed 22 people. Justice Simon Moore ruled on Friday that the company did not have a legal duty to ensure the safety of tourists visiting the active volcano.
The eruption, which primarily claimed the lives of US and Australian cruise ship passengers on a walking tour, led to millions of dollars in fines and restitution being levied against Whakaari Management last year. The company, owned by three brothers, appealed the conviction, arguing they merely granted access to the land and were not responsible for managing the safety of the tour.
Survivors testified during the trial, recounting how they were not adequately warned about the volcano’s dangers and lacked proper protective equipment. Justice Moore, however, sided with the company’s lawyers, stating that Whakaari Management’s role was limited to granting access, not managing the tour itself. He found that the company did not have the legal responsibility for workplace safety under New Zealand law.
This decision has already impacted New Zealand’s adventure tourism industry. Following the case, regulations have been updated, requiring operators to proactively inform clients of significant risks associated with their activities. While the regulator opposed the argument, the company’s lawyers contended that upholding the conviction would discourage landowners from allowing similar activities on their properties. The implications of this ruling continue to be debated within the industry and broader legal community.
First Piper 