The man who died at a geothermal pool in Rotorua’s famed Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley was Te Puia duty manager and guide Robert Phillips.

Phillips, whose full name is Robert (Piripi) John Kihi Mita Taupopoki Phillips, has been described as being “born to guide”.

He had taken thousands of visitors through Whakarewarewa - The Living Māori Village and more recently Te Puia.

The 46-year-old was pulled from geothermal waters unconscious about 9.40pm on Sunday and could not be revived.

A statement issued by Te Puia said Phillips, who was Te Puia’s Te Pō (the product) duty manager, died from a medical event.

Police have said his death would be referred to the coroner.

 
Robert Phillips died at Te Puia on Sunday night after a medical event at The Blueys geothermal pool.

Phillips had been in an area nicknamed The Blueys, a small hot water lake near the base of the world-famous Pōhutu Geyser at Te Puia.

The area is on Te Puia land and is closed to the public, but local iwi have historically swum there.

Te Puia chief executive Tim Cossar said The Blueys was “a special and significant place”.

Cossar said mana whenua to the Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley had relaxed at The Blueys for many generations and Phillips knew the area well.

“Rob was a long-term and much-loved member of our Te Puia whānau and made a significant contribution hosting manuhiri [visitors] for more than 20 years,” Cossar said.

The Blueys at Te Puia is near the base of the famous Pohutu Geyser. Photo / Supplied

“He leaves a big gap. Rob was a real character and we’ll miss him dearly. We take comfort in knowing that his wairua [spirit] will forever remain in the valley that he loved so much.”

Hundreds of tributes have been posted online for Phillips, who was described as having manaakitanga [hospitality] that was unwavering and unmatched.

He had a history of working in the tourism sector and was described as bringing light to those around him.

Fellow staff members at Te Puia commented online that they would keep his legacy alive by looking after manuhiri in the same way he did.

The late Jarmie Phillips. Photo / File

Tūhourangi kaumātua Ngarepo Eparaima said Phillips was the son of the late Jarmie Phillips (also known as Jarmie Piripi), who was at the helm of Whakarewarewa Village Tours in the early 2000s.

Robert Phillips is a descendant of Tūhourangi and Ngāti Wāhiao tribal leader and chief Mita Taupopoki, reflected in his middle names.

Eparaima said given his whakapapa, Phillips was “born to guide” and was born into a legacy in Whakarewarewa.

A rāhui has been placed on the area around The Blueys by Te Paepae o Te Pākira until further notice.

The Blueys at Te Puia.

Phillips’ funeral notice said his body was to be taken on his final tour through the valley this morning and “home” to his tupuna whare, Wahiao (Te Pakira) at Whakarewarewa where he would lie for the remainder of his tangi.

The poroporoaki (farewell speeches and songs) would be tomorrow and the nehu (funeral service) was scheduled for Friday at 10am.

Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.