Aerial shot of Whaakari at sunrise
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Whakaari / White Island Event Response

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

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

Thursday, 12 December 2019

Wednesday, 11 December 2019

Tuesday, 10 December 2019

Monday, 9 December 2019

Visit the New Zealand Police website for the latest updates »

The following Facebook pages and websites are posting updates on the situation:

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.

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