WorkSafe's case was that the island's owners, through the company Whakaari Management (WML), put profits ahead of safety. "On any particular day, White Island Tours would decide to take tours to the island. WML, he argued, granted specific licences to tour groups - like White Island Tours, which was responsible for its own activity on the island. He was critical of WorkSafe's case against WML, saying it had not proven WML had management or control of activities on the island. The island's owners - Andrew, Peter and James Buttle - had charges against them dismissed, but their company, Whakaari Management Limited (WML), still faced charges.
