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Photo: Supplied/ University of Canterbury
Whakatāne's mayor is calling on the Prime Minister and Minister of Emergency Management to intervene to allow GNS access to Whakaari/White Island.
Mayor Victor Luca is concerned the town will get no warning of a potential major eruption because scientists aren't able to get on the island.
The owners of Whakaari White Island, Whakaari Management Ltd, would immediately allow access for GNS if they were legally able to, their lawyer James Cairney says.
The Whakaari Management shareholders were found guilty of health and safety charges for granting access to other organisations, in December 2019, when an eruption killed 22 people.
They are appealing that verdict.
GNS pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health and safety of helicopter pilots providing transport services for its scientists to and from Whakaari in the three years before the eruption.
GNS says on-island monitoring substantially improves the chance of forecasting changes.
Whakatāne mayor Victor Luca recently wrote to the Prime Minister after concerns about increased activity on the island and speaks to Kathryn this morning.