Geothermal resources are imbedded in Māori whakapapa (genealogy). The kōrero (legend narrative) in the video below tells how geothermal resources came to be in New Zealand’s Central North Island.
While details can vary depending on the kaikōrero (speaker/storyteller), the legend of Ngātoroirangi explains how Te Hoata and Te Pupu are responsible for the geothermal areas that run in a direct line from White Island to Tongariro. The embers of Rūaumoko (god of earthquakes, volcanoes and seasons) and his energy are still active to this day.
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