‘As we grieved, the world grieved with us’
Survivors and families mark anniversary of tragic eruption
"The energies of those that were with us over those 10 to 12 days, their voices are woven within the fabric of this whare. You will be part of this whare as long as this whare stands."
Photographs of Australian tourists who died in the Whakaari White Island eruption of three years ago were carried on to Te Mānuka Tūtahi Marae by their family members for the WhakamaumaharaWhakaari memorial yesterday afternoon.
More than 40 people were welcomed on to the marae for the memorial service, held on the anniversary of the eruption that resulted in the deaths of 22 people and the serious injury of 25 more.
Due to Covid-19 restrictions, it was the first opportunity for survivors of the tragedy from Australia and family members of those who had died to return to Whakatāne for a memorial service.
Family members included those of Zoe Hoskings and Gavin Dallow. These families brought with them photos of their deceased loved ones.
The event was also attended by representatives of New Zealand Police, New Zealand Army and first responders from emergency services, many of whom were involved in the rescue and treatment of those injured.
Whakatāne Mayor Victor Luca and councillors attended, along with Whakatāne District Council chief executive Steph O’Sullivan, who was instrumental in coordinating Whakatāne’s response to the disaster.
It was the second of the official ceremonies to be held in Whakatāne yesterday, organised by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa in conjunction with the council.
The first was a dawn karakia at Te Hau Tutua Park overlooking the river mouth at 5am, a service that Ngāti Awa has observed every December 9 since the tragedy and has committed to continue every year into the future.
Manuhiri were welcomed on to the marae by Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa chairman Joe Harawira who
A new Netflix documentary marking three years since the Whakaari White Island tragedy will include audio and footage that has never been shared with the public before.
The Volcano: Rescue from Whakaari hits Netflix on December 16, but is being screened in New Zealand before its global release as a sign of respect for what the country went through.
Yesterday, it was three years ago exactly since sight-seers and guides were on the island when the volcano erupted, killing 22 people
recalled how the marae had been a refuge to family members of the victims in the days after the eruption.
“The energies of those that were with us over those 10 to 12 days, their voices are woven within the fabric of this whare. You will be part of this whare as long as this whare stands.
“This is a very special occasion and injuring a further 25.
The documentary, directed by Oscar nominee Rory Kennedy and written and produced by Dallas Brennan Rexer, features interviews with survivors and first responders, telling the story minute-by-minute with footage and audio taken on December 9, 2019.
Talking to The Front Page from Whakatāne, Kennedy said they have used a lot of footage and audio never seen before.
Some of the audio is presented with the screen fading to black so
. . . for us as Ngāti Awa to be able to be with you and share with you in your aroha for those who have gone beyond the veil.”
East Coast MP Kiri Allan was to have spoken at the event but was unable to attend due to her flight from Auckland being cancelled due to bad weather.
Deputy Police Commissioner Wally Haumaha read a speech on the audience can understand what it was like that day.
“It’s very, very powerful. There’s one audio recording that’s really right in the aftermath of the eruption of people trying to escape. And when I heard that raw, I was stunned. And you know, I had to kind of sit for a while and just reflect on what I was hearing.”
Kennedy said that she had not been aware of the story until it was brought to her by Appian Way, Leonardo DiCaprio’s production company, which had bought the
her behalf, saying it was “more than just a local tragedy”.
“Most of those on the island were visitors from Australia, United States, Germany, United Kingdom, China and Malaysia. As we grieved, the world grieved with us. We share your pain and Aotearoa will always be connected to you.”
Allan’s speech mentioned new rights to an article about the tragedy.
She said she was moved by the individuals involved, and how it tells a story of “everyday people turning into heroes”.
Brenner said they have been able to return to Whakatāne three times to be able to tell the story, and it has been meaningful to build those relationships over the years.
“I think this is obviously a terrible tragedy and it impacted people deeply and widely and will continue to leave a scar in this community
legislation that had been proposed because of the Whakaari disaster to improve safety standards for adventure activities.
“As a Government we have taken steps to make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.”
Australia’s Deputy Head of Mission at the Australian High Commission in Wellington, Amy Guihot, acknowledged Ngāti Awa and I believe in the whole country,” she said.
“But I do think there were some very inspiring moments that we should recognise and appreciate, and recognising how many good people rose up that day and did selfless acts to take care of one.
“We all could use a little more of concern and compassion for our community in this world.”
● For the full interview, check out NZ Herald’s The Front Page podcast.
for the manakitanga provided in the days following the eruption, “providing a safe haven for families and the community, food and comfort for hundreds of people”.
“Australia remembers the 22 people who lost their lives, including 17 Australians and permanent residents, and the 25 people who were severely injured three years ago today.”
A one-minute silence was observed at 2.11pm.
Luca thanked Ngāti Awa for welcoming the council’s close involvement in the occasion.
“I join the previous speakers in recognising those whose lives were lost and the families who grieve their loss, those who live with injuries and those survivors who deal with the loss of loved ones. This group of people have become known by the collective term, the Whakaari Whānau, the families and individuals whose lives change in an instant.”
Luca acknowledged “the courageous and selfless civic leadership” of the mayor at the time of the eruption, Judy Turner, who also attended the memorial.
“Being the one the community looked to at such an exceptional time and the relentless local, national and international media interest were just part of the tremendous pressure the mayor had to bear.”
He talked of his pride in the community’s first responders, who were placed in an almost impossible situation.
Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Awa chief executive Reuben Araroa led the attendees in a rendition of Whakaaria Mai.
He spoke about how a disaster such as that which happened on Whakaari should not prevent people from moving forward into the future.
“It can either paralyse us and stop us from living, stop us from growing, or we can look at it as one of the significant lessons in our history, learn from it, grow from it and continue to enjoy all the wonderful aspects of what the world has to offer.”