GNS science says it's making changes following the Whakaari White Island eruption

Six defendants have to pay more than 10 million dollars in reparations and 2.5 million in fines - Whakaari Management Limited and White Island Tours were handed the biggest penalties.

They were sentenced in the Auckland District court by Judge Evangelos Thomas under the Health and Safety at Work Act.

GNS Science says there should've been a more structured exchange of information with helicopter operators about the risk presented by travel to and from Whakaari on GNS staff trips.

It says recommendations from a health and safety review have either already been, or are in the process of being implemented.