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Important notices
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. Read more on the MPI website.
Several coastline iwi and hapu have placed a rāhui (customary temporary ritual prohibition) along the Bay of Plenty coast. You can find out more by contacting your local iwi authority.
Response continues
At 2.11pm on Monday 9 December Whakaari/White Island erupted. At the time of the eruption, 47 people were on or near the island. Tragically a number of people died as a result of this eruption and many were seriously injured.
Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group have been leading this response, supporting the NZ Police with the search, rescue and recovery. The response has now transitioned to the next phase.
Bay of Plenty and Auckland Emergency Management Groups are continuing to ensure that those people impacted by the Whakaari/White Island event can access the support they need. Welfare services are available via:
The latest recovery updates from NZ Police are available here.
See the Whakatane District Council website or Facebook page for further local details and updates.