Speaking to
Paula Bennett on her podcast Ask Me Anything, Law says he struggled with being criminally charged.
“First of all, you know, they charge us as a criminal, but like I’ve said so many times, I’m not a criminal.”
The prosecution followed one of the most extraordinary days of his life.
Law was driving down the Matatā Straights when he saw a dark plume rising from Whakaari and his phone started buzzing.
“It was just, ‘there’s been an eruption’. Hardly any information.”
He jumped in a helicopter and headed for the island.
At first, Law struggled to see anyone through the ash. Then he began spotting victims.
“And then I just see more and more and more.
“Then once I sort of tuned in, and was just flying around, I was like, oh man, there’s just a lot of people here.”
Mark Law’s extraordinary life is detailed in a new book, Lucky You’re Tough, by Mark Law and Ron Crosby.
Law landed the helicopter and was met with gas so strong, he began choking. He put on a mask before running towards those on the ground.
“There were so many people I came across that were dead, dying, a few people alive, a couple of people could talk, one moaning softly.”
While Law and others worked on the rescue, the volcano remained active.
“The vent was still just cranking. It was so noisy and there was ash still falling on us, and every now and again it’s just big booms and going on.”
His rescue efforts that day earned Law the New Zealand Bravery Star, the country’s second highest bravery honour.
It was a stark contrast to the criminal proceedings against his company, Kāhu NZ, that followed.
Law says the prosecution and fine have made rebuilding his business difficult.
“Banks just won’t have a bar of you because I’ve got a 200 grand fine.
“And, you know, you could easily just sort of crumble up, fold it up and put it on Trade Me and go and retire.”
But Law is not one to opt for the easy path.
“I crawled back, worked hard and got back there.”
Listen to the full episode for more from Mark Law on:
Joining the SAS at just 18 How an independent childhood built resilience Why fear shouldn’t always stop you
Ask Me Anything is an NZ Herald podcast hosted by former Deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett. New episodes are available every second Sunday.
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