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Man dies in geothermal area in Rotorua in ‘water-related incident’

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Mon, 19 Jan 2026, 9:08am
Whakarewarewa geothermal field, Rotorua. Photo / Lloyd Homer
Whakarewarewa geothermal field, Rotorua. Photo / Lloyd Homer

Man dies in geothermal area in Rotorua in ‘water-related incident’

Author
NZ Herald,
Publish Date
Mon, 19 Jan 2026, 9:08am

A man has died after being pulled from the water in a geothermal area in Rotorua last night.

Police said emergency services were called to a “water-related incident” about 9.40pm.

The incident happened on Tukiterangi St in Whakarewarewa.

The man was unconscious when he was pulled from the water.

Police said he was unable to be revived and his death would be referred to the coroner.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said the fire service was also called to assist the ambulance service, but could not comment further.

On December 21, a local mother died after being pulled unresponsive from the water near the Waiotapu geothermal area.

Police later confirmed Rotorua woman Briar Stockley, 42, died near the Lady Knox Geyser in Waiotapu.

Police determined Stockley’s death was not suspicious and referred it to the coroner.

The Waiotapu area, a 25-minute drive south of Rotorua, is home to a famous geothermal attraction in the Taupō volcanic zone.

In February two years ago, a man was believed to have fallen into a fenced-off hot pool in the Fenton Park area of Rotorua.

A person contacted police concerned they had heard someone fall into a scorching hot pool.

The pool feeds into the popular Puarenga Stream that flows through the Whakarewarewa and Fenton Park suburbs, to Ngāpuna and Lake Rotorua.

The pool is in a fenced-off area and a pathway leading to the pool has a large gate with a sign on it reading: “Danger. Do not enter”.

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