Geothermal
Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council works to ensure the integrated sustainable management of the region’s geothermal systems.
Geothermal is a critical part of our region’s economy, culture and heritage. As well as providing energy, power, tourism and wellness opportunities, the cultural significance and historical uses are part of our national identity. As a region, we are blessed to have this amazing natural resource that provides warmth, sustenance and biodiversity.
Plan Change 11 - July update
Following the Government’s announcement last week to suspend all plan changes until the new Resource Management Act replacement legislation comes into force, Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council are no longer proceeding with notification of Plan Change 11 for the Rotorua Geothermal System provisions. The entire plan change is now on hold.
Regional Council will be continuing to develop the Tauranga System Management Plan and implementation of the Rotorua System Management Plan, which was adopted in 2024. This is because these documents are operational, not statutory plan changes and therefore not impacted by this decision. Once complete, the system management plan will provide operational guidance for the integrated and sustainable management of this system.
More information will become available as Regional Council works through this process.
Geothermal in the Bay of Plenty
In the Bay of Plenty, geothermal activity is associated with areas of active or recently active tectonic movement.
Deeply circulating ground waters are heated by molten magma, and the fluid is trapped within porous rocks. In some cases, heated water rises naturally along fault planes and fractured rock to produce surface features (like mud pools, geysers and hot springs), while in other cases geothermal energy is only accessible by drilling deep bores.
Most systems in our region lie within the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which extends southwards into the Waikato region and offshore to Whakaari/White Island in the north.
Managing our geothermal systems
Bay of Plenty Regional Council is responsible for managing the sustainable use of geothermal in our region.
This includes:
- Policies to guide the use of geothermal
- Policies to protect significant geothermal features
- Allocation of geothermal water, heat and energy through resource consents
- The development of System Management Plans for high use geothermal systems in the region
- Monitoring to measure the health of the resource
- Classifying geothermal systems to determine the management purpose for each system.
System Management Plans
A System Management Plan (SMP) is a guidance document that helps inform the formal plan change. It sets out a vision, principles and actions to ensure the integrated and sustainable management of individual geothermal systems.
System Management Plans are required under the Regional Policy Statement for Development Systems or systems of high use. In the Bay of Plenty, this currently includes:
Adopted April 2024
Ngā Wai Ariki o Rotorua He Mahere Whakahaere Pūnaha – Rotorua Geothermal System Management Plan
In April 2024, Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council approved the Rotorua Geothermal System Management Plan (SMP) Ngā Wai Ariki o Rotorua He Mahere Whakahaere Pūnaha, a ‘care plan’ and Regional Council policy that will guide the overall management of the Rotorua Geothermal System.
Currently under development
Ngā Wai Ariki o Tauranga He Mahere Whakahaere Pūnaha – Tauranga Geothermal System Management Plan
Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional is currently developing a System Management Plan for the Tauranga geothermal System. This plan sets out broad actions for the sustainable management of the system. From October through to the end of January 2025, we are seeking feedback on the draft System Management Plan.
Adopted 2018 – currently under review
Ngā Wai Ariki o Kawerau He Mahere Whakahaere Pūnaha – Kawerau Geothermal System Management Plan
This System Management Plan is an operational guide to support the industrial consent holders in Kawerau. It outlines characteristics of the system and how we manage the system. It also lays out principles and processes to work together and ensure integrated and sustainable management.
Geothermal surface features provide a tangible example of the amazing processes occurring underneath our feet.
Concentrations of toxic chemicals, boiling pools and hydrothermal eruptions all make geothermal hazardous.
Geothermal areas are valued for their thermal energy, mineralised fluids, economic, social, heritage and cultural values.
Managing our geothermal systems
Bay of Plenty Regional Council is responsible for managing the sustainable use of geothermal in our region.
Classifying geothermal systems
Find out about the main geothermal systems in the Bay of Plenty Region.
Find out about the main geothermal systems in the Bay of Plenty Region.
Geothermal glossary and reports
A list of geothermal glossary terms and reports available to download.
We are reviewing all geothermal provisions in the Rotorua Geothermal Regional Plan which deals with the Rotorua Geothermal System and the Regional Natural Resources Plan.