The Rotorua Geothermal Field: An experiment in environmental management

A collection of research and monitoring activities are presented in this paper. We summarise the current management regime, surface feature trends and results of chemical research, repeated heat flow surveys at Whakarewarewa and representative temperature-contour maps of the geothermal resource. These data and results show that the composition of the primary deep fluids have changed little over time, while marked physical changes have occurred at surface features; a mix of positive recovery signs, along with many complex exceptions to those trends are seen. The use of modern numerical modelling methodology, using bore temperature records, geology and chemical data allow for improved modelling of the system.