26 June 2019

Media: Rotorua Daily Post, TVOne, Newshub, Maori TV, RotoruaNow, Radio NZ

Topic: Geothermal eruption at Whakarewarewa

Enquiry

Multiple media contacted Council seeking information and updates regarding the geothermal eruption that occurred in Meade St, Whakarewarewa.

Response

A media stand-up was arranged for at the Meade Street site today.

• Geothermal event overnight Tuesday on a Whaka property has created a new a mud pool with some ground collapse occurring after steam and mud erupted from a hole in a bank. It appears to be isolated to this property and an area around the site has been cordoned off for public safety.
• Council and GNS are monitoring the situation, BOP Regional Council is being kept in the loop and the occupants have moved out for their safety.
• The event has attracted a lot of sightseers and a lot of media attention. Both members of the public and media have had to be warned to not cross the cordon for their safety and the need for people to stay clear of the site has been a key message from Council's geothermal inspector Peter Brownbridge to media today and on Council channels.
• Media in attendance at today's stand-up at the site, fronted by RLC's geothermal inspector Peter Brownbridge and Mayor Chadwick included: Rotorua Daily Post, TVOne, Maori TV, Newshub (TV3), RotoruaNow (SunLive). Various media have also spoken to/interviewed Brad Scott from GNS. Later today we also arranged an interview with Peter on Radio NZ.
• A further media stand-up was organised for tomorrow A video from today's media stand-up, which includes footage of the mud pool, can be viewed on Council's YouTube channel https://youtu.be/l7hEhxbwBZs or via Council's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RotoruaLakesCouncil/videos/2395361327212528/