Skip to main content

Story: Hot springs, mud pools and geysers

Unique geothermal fields

Geothermal system Significance and unique features Protection status
Ketetahi New Zealand’s only steam-dominated geothermal field. Sacred to Ngāti Tūwharetoa Enclave within Tongariro National Park
Waiotapu Spectacular thermal area, including Champagne Pool. Record of hydrothermal eruption craters Crown-owned scenic reserve
Waimangu Geothermal field formed after 1886 Tarawera eruption. Includes Frying Pan Lake (one of the world’s largest hot springs), Inferno Crater and small geysers Crown-owned scenic reserve
Rotorua New Zealand’s only remaining major geyser field Crown-owned. Part is a scenic reserve. Geysers and other features protected by Rotorua Geothermal Plan
White Island (Whakaari) Highly acidic system within the crater of an active volcano. Includes extensive fumaroles and pure sulfur deposits Privately owned. Managed as scenic reserve

In the 1980s the Geological Society of New Zealand listed the country’s geothermal fields according to their importance. This table shows the five most important (Category 1) fields, classified as having international significance. It was recommended that preservation of surface thermal activity should have precedence over utilisation.

Using this item

Te Ara – The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Source: Inventory of New Zealand geothermal fields and features. Miscellaneous Publication 44. 2nd ed. Lower Hutt: Geological Society of New Zealand, 1999.

This item has been provided for private study purposes (such as school projects, family and local history research) and any published reproduction (print or electronic) may infringe copyright law. It is the responsibility of the user of any material to obtain clearance from the copyright holder.

All images & media in this story

How to cite this page

Carol Stewart, Hot springs, mud pools and geysers – Protecting geothermal features, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/table/6516/unique-geothermal-fields (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Carol Stewart, published 2 March 2009.