Rotorua is arguably the original home of New ... The Coromandel is most widely known by Aucklanders for its thermal area at Hot Water Beach. But in Whitianga there's another mineral springs ...

the tourists set up shop amid steaming rocks at the Sulphur Point thermal area in Rotorua on the North Island. The area features searing pools, acidic geysers and even dangerous bacteria.

But scientists say tests from the Waikite and surrounding Whakarewarewa area carried out over ... because they were detracting from Rotorua's natural thermal attractions, said GNS science.