Page 18 - New Zealand holiday

During the 1880s there were five major geyser fields in New Zealand's North Island. One of them, Rotomahana, was destroyed by the Mount Tarawera eruption of 1886.
All the others have been badly affected by human interference, especially the taking of steam or hot water for heating homes. The geyser field we visited at Whakarewarewa is the only major one in the North Island that is protected.
The geysers on the main terrace are connected to a common fissure. This makes for a complex geyser system, with the activity of one geothermal feature often affecting another.
Pohutu (the largest one to spout there) means 'constant splashing' and she performs about one or two times every hour. Pohutu can shoot up to 30 metres.
We had to wait over 40 minutes for Pohutu to erupt but were entertained by the smaller Prince of Wales Feathers geyser next to it. When it shoots hot water, this is the signal for Pohutu to start up next.