Cave Creek Disaster

The Cave Creek disaster was an event in which 14 people died when a scenic viewing platform collapsed. It occurred in Paparoa National Park on New Zealand's West Coast, on 28 April 1995. The tragedy resulted in wide criticism of the government and its policies towards funding and management of the conservation estate. Denis Marshall, New Zealand's Minister of Conservation, eventually resigned. It also resulted in major changes to procedures used by the New Zealand Department of Conservation after it was revealed that serious systemic failures had led to the building of the unstable platform. Eventual changes in New Zealand Law, following a change of government, allowed for government departments to be held criminally liable for inadequate building practices, in the same way as non-government organisations.

Read more about Cave Creek Disaster:  Background, The Platform Collapse, The Commission of Inquiry, Repercussions

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