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Approaching White Island / Whakaari volcano by helicopter. Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand.

Approaching White Island / Whakaari volcano by helicopter. Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand.

Approaching White Island / Whakaari volcano by helicopter. Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand. Whakaarian is an active andesite stratovolcano, situated 48...
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Approaching White Island / Whakaari volcano by helicopter. Bay of Plenty, North Island, New Zealand. Whakaarian is an active andesite stratovolcano, situated 48 km (30 mi) from the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand, in the Bay of Plenty. It is New Zealand's most active cone volcano, and has been built up by continuous volcanic activity over the past 150,000 years.[1] The nearest mainland towns are Whakatane and Tauranga. White Island has been in a nearly continuous stage of smoking at least since it was 'discovered' by James Cook in 1769. White Island is privately owned. It was declared a private scenic reserve,[12] in 1953,[13][14] and is subject to the provision of the Reserves Act 1977.[15] Visitors cannot land without permission. However, it is easily accessible by authorised tour operators.
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