Field Trips

Pick up location: Te Puia, Wheelhouse Café, Hemo Road, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua
Drop off location: Te Puia, Wheelhouse Café, Hemo Road, Whakarewarewa, Rotorua
Description of the Field Trip: The most recent Plinian eruption in New Zealand occurred on 10th June 1886 during the Tarawera eruption. The impacts of this event were significant to local Māori who lost almost 120 people. This fieldtrip will examine aspects of the 17 km long fissure from this violent basaltic eruption, examining the range of phreatomagmatic (interaction between basaltic magma and a pre-existing hydrothermal system at Waimungu) through to magmatic phases. Unique, ultra-proximal facies are extremely well-exposed due to the fissure slicing through pre-existing rhyolite lava domes. This fieldtrip will explore both the physical science aspects of this complex eruption, along with indigenous (local iwi) knowledge of the processes and impacts of volcanic eruptions.

If you have any questions about this Field Trip, please contact Geoff Kilgour geoff.kilgour@earthsciences.nz or Kaitiaki Tours directly.

Leaders: Ryan Bailey, Massey University; Shane Rooyakkers, Earth Sciences NZ; Anke Zernack, Massey University
Level of fitness required e.g. walking distance and difficulty: Easy, short walking distance
Date: Friday 04 December 2026, 8am - 5.00pm
Cost: $85.00 pp (incl. GST)

Booking Details: Book via conference registration form

Pick up location: Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Drop off location: Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Description of the Field Trip: Young eruptive products of Okataina Volcanic Centre, in the central Taupō Volcanic Zone, hold one of the world’s most complete records of closely spaced rhyolitic eruptions. This field trip will explore that record by tracing deposits across the region. We will showcase the character and diversity of Okataina’s remarkable recent eruptive history – from the massive ~54 ka caldera-forming Rotoiti eruption, through two contrasting periods of post-caldera eruptions. As we go, we will discuss the insights the deposits offer into the rapid evolution of this large and highly active magmatic system, from post-caldera recovery through to the present day.

Leaders: Ayrton Hamilton, University of Auckland
Level of fitness required e.g. walking distance and difficulty: Light walking, nothing strenuous
Date: Friday 04 December 2026, 8am - 5.00pm
Cost: $220.00 pp (incl. GST)

Booking Details: Book via conference registration form

Pick up location: Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Drop off location: Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Description of the Field Trip: This one-day excursion showcases the diversity of colourful thermal features associated with volcanism, including bubbling hot springs, fumaroles, mud pools and silica sinter terraces. The aim is to provide an overview of the geological attributes and controls on hot water circulation through the upper crust. Highlights include the Champagne Pool, a 900-year-old hydrothermal eruption vent where gold and silver actively precipitate, the setting of the world-famous Pink and White Terraces that were destroyed by the 1886 Tarawera eruption, and the resulting line of thermally active volcanic craters that once hosted the largest geyser known.

Leaders: Bruce Hayward, Geomarine Research
Level of fitness required e.g. walking distance and difficulty: Ability to walk 20m
Date: Friday 04 December 2026, 9am - 3.00pm
Cost: $20.00 pp (incl. GST)

Booking Details: Book via conference registration form

Pick up location: Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Drop off location: Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
Description of the Field Trip: Carpool to and from Rotorua to the legendary Kaimanawa Wall (1.5 hrs each way). More than 30 years ago geologists and archaeologists pronounced that the wall was purely an outcrop of naturally-jointed ignimbrite - but is it? Come and see for yourself why some people still believe it was man-made and possibly a buried pyramid built by a pre-Māori civilisation. You need to come with an open mind because you may be surprised by the conclusion.