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Geothermal features annual monitoring report - January 2013

TR 2013/29

Report: TR 2013/29

Author: Claire Littler and Neil Berry

About this report

The Resource Management Act 1991 (RMA) requires that regional councils sustainably manage geothermal resources. Geothermal surface features are an important part of the geothermal resource and some cases are outstanding natural features to be protected from inappropriate use and development (RMA s6(b)). Throughout the region, most geothermal features and ecosystems are adversely affected to a greater or lesser degree by geothermal resource use or uses of land and water. Section 35(1) and (2a) of the RMA require the regional council to gather information and undertake or commission research to monitor the state of the environment as necessary to carry out its functions. Waikato Regional Council monitors the natural state of the geothermal resource and assesses what changes of state have occurred or are occurring.

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Geothermal features annual monitoring report - January 2013 [PDF, 22 MB]

Contents
  Executive summary ix
1 Introduction 1
1.1 Background 1
1.2 Report Content 1
1.3 Method 1
2 Monitoring Results: Atiamuri 2
2.1 Matapan Road 2
2.2 Whangapoa Pools 4
3 Golden Springs 9
3.1 Pools in stream through the Golden Springs Motel 9
3.2 Pools across the road from the Golden Springs Motel 12
4 Horohoro 14
4.1 Waipupumahana Pool 14
5 Ngatamariki 15
5.1 Hydrothermal Eruption Crater 15
6 Orakei Korako 22
6.1 Orakei Korako Springs 22
6.2 Waihunuhunu Inlet 47
7 Reporoa 48
7.1 Butcher’s Pool 48
7.2 Wharepapa Road 49
7.3 Longview Road 55
8 Rotokawa 58
8.1 Parariki Stream 58
8.2 Lagoon Springs 58
8.3 Pools on other side of track 60
8.4 Craters 60
9 Tauhara 62
9.1 Lake Taupo Shore 62
9.2 Otumuheke 65
9.3 Waipahihi Source 67
10 Te Kopia 70
10.1 Mud Geyser and associated pools 70
10.2 Mud Pools (Tomos) on west of Te Kopia Road 73
11 Tokaanu 75
11.1 Tourist Walk 75
11.2 Cooking area 80
12 Waikite 84
12.1 Waikite Swimming Pool area 84
12.2 DOC Reserve on Landcorp Farm 88
13 Waiotapu 93
13.1 Tourist Walk 93
13.2 Knox Geyser area 104
13.3 Waiotapu Loop Road Pools 107
13.4 Kerosene Creek Area 107
14 Whangairorohea 110
14.1 Tahunaatapu Pool 110
15 Appendix 1 113