The Prime Minister doesn't think there's a need for a royal commission into the Whakaari White Island eruption, but others disagree.

Jacinda Ardern says the health and safety regulator and the Coroner are investigating, and royal commission would have little to add.

However, Queens Counsel Hugh Rennie told Heather du Plessis-Allan the current process is that WorkSafe investigations should run first - which he doesn't agree with.

He's also not happy the Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for White Island, rather than a city or district council.

"That cannot be satisfactory, and I think we can only believe the advice the Prime Minister has had in front of her is inadequate if not downright misleading."

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