Wairakei Thermal Fields

The geothermal region surrounding Wairakei Village extends from the geyserlands of Rotorua (one hour north) to the volcanoes an hour south of Lake Taupo. Wairakei thermal fields are within the Waiora Valley, a culturally significant place for Maori people. The area has gone through some big changes in the past 200 years, some natural, some forced by the hand of man.

In 1886 Mt Tarawera erupted, splitting in two and covering the area in ash. Until then, the main feature of the area had been the dramatic pink and white silica terraces, now buried in ash. The Waiora Valley's geothermal qualities have always been recognised by Maori people. The Waiora Valley is a 'wahi tapu', a site of significance, and was a passage for war parties and traders who bathed in the healing springs.

In a sucessful recent project, Raewyn and Jim Hill of Ngati Tuwharetoa have established man-made terraces in the zone once occupied by the natural pink and white terraces. The man-made terraces are coloured in blues, pinks and whites by the multi-hued steaming Alum lakes. The new terraces are part of a tourist attraction, Wairakei Terraces, where visitors can tour the geothermal features.