The Geothermal Setting

The Ōhinemutu area contains extensive tracts of surface geothermal features; from boiling over-flowing springs to warm springs, hot ground and mud pools. Additionally, the Rūāpeka Lagoon is a moderately large geothermal feature formed by a collapse event in the 1860’s. Historically, it has been connected to Lake Rotorua where geothermal inputs (such as seeps, hot springs and warm streams) meet the cooler water from the lake.

Background

Ōhinemutu is a traditional Māori pā (village) situated on the shore of Lake Rotorua in the Bay of Plenty, Aotearoa New Zealand.

It is home to approximately 200 residents, predominantly elderly and children, who whakapapa (are related to) Ngāti Whakaue, one of the Te Arawa confederation of tribes. There are four marae (meeting houses), two churches, a community garden, and a cemetery.

It is decile 1 on the poverty index, the lowest status on the New Zealand Index of Socioeconomic Deprivation. The median annual income is NZ$20,800, with existing homes that were predominantly built in the 1940-60’s. There are >20 existing geothermal bores that are decommissioned or not in use.

A proliferation of warm baths, as well as boiling springs and steam to cook food, and warm ground to heat homes and grow crops were once a source of wealth amongst the tribe and demonstrate the extraordinary role of geothermal energy in enabling self-sufficiency.

Ngāti Whakaue were amongst the Te Arawa hapū who gifted lands and resources for the establishment of the township we know of today as Rotorua. Subsequent land confiscations and loss of kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and decision-making over the use of their lands, waters, geothermal and other natural resources has resulted in intergenerational deprivation including energy poverty.

Whilst ample heat, hot water and steam continue to exist within Ōhinemutu, successive government policies, regulations and actions (or lack of), coupled with the resultant prohibitive costs of maintaining bores, hot water pipes, infrastructure and consents, now means a majority of whānau within the pā have lost their ability to access geothermal home heating, cooking and bathing. This has had significant negative and long-lasting implications on health, social and cultural wellbeing.

Geothermal energy was once an accessible, affordable, and sustainable heating source within the village, so many homes were not insulated. Most whānau who lost access to this energy source continue to struggle to keep their homes warm today.

In 2020, the NZ Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) provided funding for a feasibility study to redevelop the geothermal infrastructure to provide safe and sustainable heating to the village. A preliminary feasibility report and capital cost estimate was completed, but funding for the development is still required.

After hearing a presentation on the plight of Te Manatōpū Hau Kāinga o Ōhinemutu (TMHKO) — the group that represents Ōhinemutu village residents — Upflow is partnering with them to move to Phase Two, which will focus on securing the necessary funding to build, and development of a project management plan that will enable the successful revitalization of the geothermal infrastructure at Ōhinemutu.