1. POLYNESIAN SPA. A MODERN
THERMAL SPA WITH A RICH
HISTORY UTILIZING A PRECIOUS
AND WELL MANAGED
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE
Martin Lobb
Managing Director
Polynesian Spa
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3. POLYNESIAN SPA. A MODERN
THERMAL SPA WITH A RICH
HISTORY UTILIZING A PRECIOUS
AND WELL MANAGED
GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE
Martin Lobb
Managing Director
Polynesian Spa
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4. Geothermal Sustainability
- Legislation
- Motivated tourism operators
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5. New Zealand – Where are we?
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9. About New Zealand
 4.5 million people
 50 million sheep
 2.5 million overseas
visitors per annum
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11.  Mt Ruapehu in the snow
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22. The Maori People
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24. Waiariki = water of the gods = hot springs
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27. “Rotorua’s geothermal
activity is unique because
of its variety.
Every geothermal
experience is very
different, and it’s in a
compact geography.
Ensuring the resource is
looked after is part of our Don Gunn – General Manager
most important business.” Destination Rotorua Tourism Marketing
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28. “… (The Rotorua area)
…when its sanitary
resources are developed,
it may prove a great
source of wealth to the
colony.”
William Fox – Prime Minister of
NZ, 1870’s
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46. GEOTHERMAL RESOURCE REDUCTION THROUGH
RE-CYCLING – FILTERING – RE-HEATING OF POOL WATER
POOLS
EMPTIED GEOTHERMAL
TO WASTE
STEAM FROM
POOLS EMPTIED PRODUCTION STORAGE VAT
AND STERILISED BORES 184,000 LITRES
EACH DAY CAPACITY AT 70-80ºC
POOLS OVERFLOW PUMPED TO INDIVIDUAL
BACK TO HOLDING POOLS HOLDING TANK
TANKS FOR CONTINUED
CYCLE
PUMPED TO PLANT
FOR FILTERING – RE-HEATING
TO INDIVIDUAL POOLS
TEMPERATURE
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47. Threats to Rotorua’s geothermal
resource
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48. “...tourism is the key economic driver.
The essential point of difference is our
geothermal setting. So it’s vital everything
possible is done to preserve this resource
including its iconic features – such as Picture of
Graeme
Pohutu geyser.
Osborne
or Pohutu
Our resource works like a garden hose, Geyser
with a sprinkler on your lawn. If you run
another sprinkler off it, the water on each
sprinkler diminishes.”
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50. More protection 1991
- Resource Management Act 1991
- Environment Bay of Plenty
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51. The Resource Management Act 1991
- Regulates access to all resources
- Sustainability & management of
effects
- Effects on environment must be
minimized
- Affects every New Zealander 51

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53. ...water levels have recovered,
...flows of hot springs have increased
...fluid flow to many previously dormant springs and
geysers resumed…..
...it appears that the 1986 closure programme together
with the field management plan has delivered
significant success in the recovery of the geothermal
reservoir.”
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56.  Kuirau explosion
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58. The Role of Tourism in Sustainability
- NZ Tourism Strategy
- Guardianship
- Hospitality
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59. Manaaki Whenua, Manaaki Tangata, Haere Whakamua
Care for the land, Care for the people, Go forward.
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61. Thank you – Muchas gracias
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