What's happened
Whakaari Management, owners of New Zealand's White Island, are appealing their conviction for safety violations linked to the 2019 volcanic eruption that killed 22 people. The appeal centers on whether the company was responsible for visitor safety or if that duty fell to tour operators. The High Court's decision is pending.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to The Guardian, Whakaari Management argues that they acted merely as landowners, stating, "It did not run the tours. It did not direct or supervise the tours." This contrasts with the New Zealand workplace regulator's position, which asserts that the company had a duty to ensure safety at the volcano site. The Independent notes that the case has already influenced laws governing New Zealand's adventure tourism industry, emphasizing the need for operators to inform customers of serious risks. The outcome of this appeal could significantly impact how safety is managed in similar tourism ventures.
How we got here
In 2019, a volcanic eruption on Whakaari, also known as White Island, resulted in 22 fatalities, primarily among tourists. Following a trial, Whakaari Management was found guilty of failing to ensure visitor safety and was ordered to pay significant fines. The company is now appealing this conviction.
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