Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Update: Whakaari / White Island search

Deputy Commissioner John Tims:

The search for two missing people following last week’s eruption on Whakaari / White Island will continue with a local-led operation.

Police today outlined the overall response to date using images, maps and data.

The information was first presented to the family of one of the missing – local 40-year-old man Hayden Marshall-Inman.

Police and partner agencies responded to this tragedy with a clear mission: to recover the bodies of all those who died on the island.

Sadly, as we know, two bodies – Mr Marshall-Inman and 17-year old Australian Winona Langford - remain unaccounted for.

It is the considered view of experts that those bodies have been washed out to sea following a significant weather event on the island the night of the eruption.

There is no guarantee their bodies will be located and Police recognise the immense pain this must cause their families.

With the chances of finding their bodies diminishing, the nature of the recovery operation is changing.

The national operation will now revert to a local-led response, headed by District Commander Superintendent Andy McGregor.

It’s important to be clear – we haven’t given up.

Police resources including the Eagle helicopter and Deodar vessel will remain in Whakatane for several days.

The effort will continue beyond that at the local level.

We have always had an expectation of ourselves and others that all bodies would be recovered so it’s both disappointing and frustrating to be in this position.

I’m sure I can speak on behalf of other agencies as well as Police when I say, if the need changes, we will respond.


Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.