Statement from the island's owners Local media are widely quoting a statement put out by the island's owners the Whakaari Management Ltd. In it they say: "We are all shocked by what has occurred on Whakaari yesterday and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy." The volcano is unusual for being privately owned. Decades ago the government tried to buy it from the Buttle family, but in the end reached an agreement that the site would become a scenic reserve.