Views split on where to hold White Island trial
Holding the trial for those facing charges in the wake of the Whakaari/White Island eruption in Whakata¯ ne ‘‘may have adverse psychosocial impacts on the community’’.
That’s the view of the Bay of Plenty District Health Board, according to court documents. The report by Roger Gowing, a lawyer appointed by the court to canvas victims, covers the view of first responders, iwi and the wider community on the venue ahead of any possible trial.
The existence of the report was revealed in June at Whakata¯ ne District Court for the opening act of the largest workplace safety prosecution in the nation’s history.
The DHB said its view was offered ‘‘not only as first responders on the day of the Whakaari eruption but also as the major employer and provider of health care services to the Whakata¯ne community and the wider communities of the Eastern Bay of Plenty’’.
‘‘As such we are considering the impact on the wellbeing for all parties ... It is our view that, whilst logically convenient, the holding of proceedings in Whakata¯ne may have adverse psychosocial impacts on the community and that is an issue the court should take into consideration when setting the venue.’’
The DHB said it preferred court proceedings in Rotorua, or Tauranga, but not Auckland as that was too far away.
The response from police staff involved in the tragedy, however, was a preference for Whakata¯ ne. One officer, who was on the boats assisting to load victims onto stretchers, said it was ‘‘a Whakata¯ne matter that has left an eternal imprint on those involved and the memories will last a lifetime’’.
Another officer also had a preference for Whakata¯ ne, noting ‘‘the community as a whole, from my perspective, were upset at the laying of these charges and this would at least involve the community to some degree having it heard here.’’
One officer backed Auckland as the venue. ‘‘I think it’s going to be highly emotional and there will be some obvious bias which will probably be better minimised and managed in Auckland.’’
Whakaari/White Island erupted on December 9, 2019, when 47 people were on the island, leaving 22 dead and survivors with severe or critical injuries. WorkSafe charged three individuals and nine of companies with a raft of charges.