WorkSafe New Zealand has filed charges against 13 parties in relation to the White Island eruption that killed 22 people, including a number of Australians.
Phil Parkes, the safety regulator's chief executive, said today the charges conclude the most extensive and complex investigation ever undertaken by WorkSafe NZ.
"This was an unexpected event, but that does not mean it was unforeseeable and there is a duty on operators to protect those in their care," he said.
READ MORE: Melbourne survivor of White Island tragedy speaks about grief, pain
Mr Parkes said the 13 parties did not undertake their obligations under the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.
Ten parties face charges under the act which carries a maximum fine of $1.4million.
Three individuals are charged as directors or individuals who were required to exercise due diligence to ensure the company meets its health and safety obligations.
These charges each carry a maximum fine of $285,000.
White Island is in the Bay of Plenty off New Zealand's North island.
The volcano had showed signs of unrest for several weeks before the December 9 eruption last year and alerts had been issued indicating "moderate to heightened volcanic unrest".
"Those who went to the island, did so with the reasonable expectation that there were appropriate systems in place to ensure they made it home healthy and safe," Mr Parkes said.
Fourteen Australians were among the fatalities when the volcano erupted on December 9 last year.
Those charged are scheduled in the Auckland District Court on December 15.
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