New Zealand charges 13 for Whakaari volcano eruption

New Zealand's workplace regulator has charged 13 parties in its investigation into a deadly volcanic eruption last year.

The parties were charged with not meeting health and safety standards in taking tourists to the White Island, or called Whakaari in Maori, where the surprise eruption occurred.

It killed 22 people and injured dozens more, mostly foreign tourists traveling on a cruise ship.

At the time, questions were raised as to why people were allowed on the island, a popular destination for day-trippers, given there was reportedly a heightened risk of an eruption.

Phil Parkes is Chief Executive of the workplace regulator, WorkSafe:

"This deeply tragic event was unexpected, but that does not mean it was unforeseeable… After the largest and most complex investigation WorkSafe has ever undertaken, we have concluded that 13 parties did not meet their obligations and should face charges in court."

10 organizations were charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act, with each count carrying a maximum fine of over $1 million and three individuals were charged with a maximum fine of $300,000.

WorkSafe did not name those charged, but their first court appearance is set for Dec 15.