An eruption occurred at Whakaari/White Island at about 2:11 pm, 9 December 2019. In response, we are working closely with the lead agency the New Zealand Police and with National Emergency Management Agency and the New Zealand Red Cross.
Need support? You can text or call 1737 for 24/7 hour counselling.
Updates
February 2020
Local tourism industry works to mitigate economic impact following Whakaari eruption.
Mitigating the ongoing economic impact for retailers and supporting Whakatāne's local tourism sector is at the forefront of Whakatāne District tourism activities. Read the full media release »
Message from the Group Recovery Manager Craig Morris
Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi.
Engari, he toa takitini.
Strength is not that of an individual.
But, that of the collective.
Bay of Plenty Emergency Management Group coordinated the multi-agency response to the Whakaari/White Island eruption event with NZ Police leading search and recovery operations.On 20 December, we moved to the Emergency Management Recovery phase, which coordinates effort and processes to bring about immediate, medium-term and longer-term enhancement of a community after an emergency.
In the Whakaari Recovery we are looking at activities across three ‘environments’ - social, economic, and natural. We are working with more than 15 partners and support organisations, including Whakatāne District Council, Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Awa Social and Health Services, District Health Boards, the National Emergency Management Agency, Tourism Bay of Plenty, Eastern Bay Chamber of Commerce and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment - among six government agencies.
We will regularly update the community on progress through the course of this important recovery.
Read the full Whakaari / White Island Recovery update - (PDF, 427 KB)
Tuesday, 14 January 2020
- Business support update
An initial government Business Support Package has been established to ensure businesses are able to continue to operate and keep their staff employed. The initial Business Support Package is to be managed by a panel appointed by Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa, Whakatāne District Council and the Ministry of Social Development. The administration of the applications and business owner interaction will be led by the EBOP Chamber of Commerce, with Lucy Devany recently appointed as the Business Support Manager. Lucy understands the challenges of businesses well and will be known to many of the EBOP business community given her role as Office Manager at the EBOP Chamber.
Thursday, 9 January 2020
- As one month passes from the tragic event on Whakaari / White Island, we share in the reflections of Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa. Our thoughts and aroha are with all those affected, as we continue to work through the impacts of this event with our community.
Saturday, 28 December 2019
- The rāhui has now been lifted by Te Runanga o Ngāti Awa. Thank you also to our community and visitors for your respect during this time.
Friday, 27 December 2019
- A Message from the Mayor of the Whakatāne District
As difficult as this time has been for everyone, it gives me great comfort when I reflect on the strength, compassion and aroha of the people of this District. Read the full media release »
Thursday, 26 December 2019
- Whakatāne 'open for business'
Whakatāne District Council and Tourism Bay of Plenty are encouraging visitors to explore all that Whakatāne and the Bay of Plenty has to offer and support the region over the summer months. Read the full media release »
Monday, 23 December 2019
- Information about business support for Whakatāne released
More detail about the business support for affected businesses in the aftermath of the Whakaari/White Island volcanic eruption in Whakatāne has been released today by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE). Read the full media release »
Saturday, 21 December 2019
- MPI is advising the public not to consume fish, shellfish or crayfish harvested from the shores of Whakaari/White Island and within a 1km buffer zone extending off the White Island coastline due to public health concerns. This includes finfish, crayfish, mussels, oysters, tuatua, pipi, toheroa, cockles, scallops, catseyes, kina (sea urchin), and all other shellfish.
See map and find out more the advisory »
Friday, 20 December 2019
- EBOP Chamber of Commerce and Whakatāne District Council are working together on business recovery for the region. For business support call 0800 999 030 or visit ebopchamber.co.nz.
Thursday, 19 December 2019
- Memorial service for Hayden Marshall-Inman
A service will be held tomorrow (Friday, 20 December) at Whakatāne Baptist Centre, 67 Keepa Road, Coastlands.
Please note: As car parking will be limited at the Baptist Centre, extra car parking will be available at Mataatua Reserve and a free shuttle service from the Fishing Club from 10 am will be provided. Service details »
Wednesday, 18 December 2019
- NZ Police Update, via Facebook Video
Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement provided an update on the Whakaari / White Island recovery operation.
Watch on Facebook » - Ngāti Awa Rāhui Update
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa advises the rāhui (temporary ritual prohibition) placed over the Ngāti Awa customary coastal marine area for fishing and gathering kaimoana (seafood) remains in place until further notice. Find out more »
Tuesday, 17 December 2019
- Prime Minister confirms emergency support package
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has announced an emergency support funding package for the Whakatāne District that will help to alleviate the economic impact of the Whakaari / White Island eruption on 9 December 2019.
Friday, 13 December 2019
- 5.00pm, video via Whakatāne District Council Facebook: Whakaari / White Island media briefing
- 3.53pm, NZ Police: Whakaari / White Island
- 1:41 pm: Media Advisory - Whakaari / White Island update via Facebook video
Commissioner Mike Bush to provides an update on the recovery of bodies from Whakaari/White Island. - 1.04pm, NZ Police update: UPDATE 8: Whakaari / White Island
- 11:11 am, NZ Police Update: UPDATE 7: Whakaari / White Island
- Six bodies have been successfully recovered from Whakaari / White Island and are now onboard HMNZS Wellington.
- 11 am, GeoNet Update: Whakaari/White Island eruption
- 9:15 am, NZ Police Update: UPDATE 3: Whakaari /White Island body recovery
- 8:20 am, NZ Police Update: UPDATE 2: Whakaari /White Island body recovery
- 7:07 am, NZ Police Update: UPDATE 1: Whakaari / White Island body recovery
Thursday, 12 December 2019
- 7:58 pm, NZ Police Update: Whakaari / White Island recovery operation
- 5:30 pm, GeoNet Update: Whakaari/White Island eruption: Update #7
- 3:18 pm, NZ Police Update: Plan to recover bodies from Whakaari / White Island
- 1:45 pm, GeoNet Update: Whakaari/White Island likelihood of future eruption: Update #2
- 10:20 am, GeoNet Update: Whakaari/White Island eruption: Update #6 - Volcanic Alert Level is reduced to Level 2
- 10:05 am, video via Whakatāne District Council Facebook: Police Deputy Commissioner Mike Clement to update on the Whakaari/White Island recovery process
- 7:10 am, NZ Police Update: Two further fatalities - Whakaari / White Island eruption
Wednesday, 11 December 2019
- 9:15 pm: Media briefing by Minister of Police Stuart Nash in Whakatāne.
- 7:35 pm: Media Release - Bay of Plenty tourism industry rallies together following eruption on Whakaari/White Island
- 7:30 pm, NZ Police Update: Whakaari / White Island volcanic eruption
- 5:44 pm, Update Civil Defence, Police and GNS Science (via Radio New Zealand, YouTube): The latest briefing from Wellington from Civil Defence, Police and GNS Science.
- 5:30 pm, GeoNet Update: Whakaari/White Island eruption: Update #5
In this update, GeoNet advises that "the level of volcanic tremor continues to rise and there is medium likelihood of future eruptive activity in the next 24 hours. The Volcanic Alert Level remains at Level 3." Also, there is "an extremely low likelihood of any effects from the eruption on the mainland."
Visit getready.govt.nz for more information on more about ashfall and making preparations » - 2:50 pm: Media Advisory - Wharf section closed to public access
- A section of the wooden wharf which accommodates the White Island Tours vessels has been closed to public access by Whakatāne District Council.
Public access has been restricted for health and safety purposes and temporary fencing has been erected, with signage to follow. - 10:30 am, GeoNet Update: Whakaari/White Island eruption: Update #4
- 10:25 am, NZ Police Update: The recovery of bodies from Whakaari/White Island is an absolute priority for Police.
Tuesday, 10 December 2019
- 11:34pm: NZ Police Update: Police can confirm a further person has died following the eruption on Whakaari / White Island, bringing the official toll to six. The person was earlier being treated at Middlemore hospital. Police remain focused on supporting families at this terrible time.
- 5:15 pm: Media briefing with Mayor Judy Turner (Facebook Video)
- 4:30 pm, NZ Police Update (via Radio New Zealand Facebook): Civil Defence, police and the Ministry of Health are providing updates on the Whakaari / White Island eruption.
- 1:47 pm, NZ Police Update: Whakaari / White Island - work continues to enable recovery
- 1:33 pm: The Whakatāne Boat Ramp Area remains closed until further notice.
- 11:45 am: A Civil Defence Centre opened at Te Kōputu a te whanga a Toi (Whakatāne Library) today at 49 Kākahoroa Drive, Whakatāne to provide psycho-social support to those that need this. (Now closed)
- 11:40 am, GeoNet Update: Whakaari/White Island eruption: Update #2
- 7:27 am, NZ Police Update: White Island eruption - eight people unaccounted for
- 12:06 am, NZ Police Update: Eruption on White Island – recovery operation
Monday, 9 December 2019
- 10:10 pm, NZ Police Update: Eruption on White Island - five people confirmed deceased
- 9:54 pm: Whakaari / White Island event response
Whakatāne District Mayor Judy Turner says her heart goes out to the injured, the missing and deceased, and their families and whanau.
Five persons have now been confirmed deceased. A number of others are still missing or unaccounted for. Read the full media release » - 6:54 pm, NZ Police Update: Eruption on White Island - one fatality confirmed
- Press Conference, Jacinda Ardern (video)
- 6:30 pm: GeoNet have provided an update regarding ashfall. It appears to be confined to Whakaari/White Island and they do not expect more than a minor amount of ash to reach the East Cape in the coming hours.
Visit the New Zealand Police website for the latest updates »
The following Facebook pages and websites are posting updates on the situation:
- New Zealand Police
Facebook | Website - Bay of Plenty Civil Defence
Facebook | Website - Our Whakatāne District Council Facebook Page
Contact numbers for concerned people:
From NZ Police:
Information numbers have been set up for people wishing to register their concern about friends and loved ones who they believe may be involved in this incident.
People within New Zealand can call 105, or go to the Police website.
People overseas can call: +64 9105 105
From Red Cross:
At the request of New Zealand Police, New Zealand Red Cross has activated the Family Links website for people wanting to register themselves as safe or register an inquiry about a loved one.
If you are worried about a friend or family member following the Whakaari / White Island eruption, first contact them as you normally would.
If you cannot make contact, you can register them by visiting the Red Cross website - Please note this website does not host an official list of missing persons, and information is submitted by members of the public.
From Whakatāne District Council:
An Open Facebook group has been established at facebook.com/WhakataneDistrictCouncil - the group will be pinned to the top of the page feed or at this link
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of those involved, their families and friends.