Whakaari coronial inquiry begins in Whakatāne

Friday 3 October 2025 · 5 outlets · 7 reports · updated Fri 3 Oct 2025, 5:11pm

In this story Ministry of Justice

The first phase of the coronial inquiry into the 2019 Whakaari/White Island eruption commenced in Whakatāne on Friday. The inquiry follows the disaster that killed 22 people and injured 25 others. Counsel for survivors suggested New Zealand did not appear ready for the event.

How they headlined it

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1. RNZFri 3 Oct 2025, 9:00am

   Whakaari/White Island coronial inquiry set to begin nearly six years after eruption (opens in new tab)

   • Impact of Whakaari eruption on victims heard in court (opens in new tab) Fri 3 Oct 2025, 2:00pm
2. 1News via RNZFri 3 Oct 2025, 11:02am

   Whakaari coronial inquiry: NZ didn't seem ready for disaster, court told (opens in new tab)

   • Whakaari/White Island coronial inquiry set to begin (opens in new tab) Fri 3 Oct 2025, 11:02am
3. StuffFri 3 Oct 2025, 1:30pm

   Whakaari/White Island eruption coronial inquest begins with song and tears (opens in new tab)

4. NZ HeraldFri 3 Oct 2025, 2:38pm

   Whakaari inquest: Survivors say lives ‘changed forever’ after 2019 eruption (opens in new tab)

5. Otago Daily TimesFri 3 Oct 2025, 5:11pm

   Inquest hears effect of Whakaari eruption on victims (opens in new tab)