Ngāti Awa says it still feels an enormous weight of responsibility over the Whakaari eruption nearly one year on from the tragedy.
White Island Tours was bought by the iwi in 2017 in a bid to expand its asset base, and develop employment opportunities for its people.
But it could never have imagined what unfolded on the island on 9 December 2019, when the volcano exploded, claiming 22 lives.
Former chief executive and head of the Ngāti Awa health and social services, Enid Ratahi-Pryor, says the pain they feel as mana whenua, who pride themselves on looking after visitors, will take a long time to heal.
She told reporter Te Aniwa Hurihanganui it was a day she will never forget.
