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47 pages : colour illustrations ;25 cm

'Natural geothermal phenomena - geysers, hot springs and mud pools - have drawn people to the thermal region of New Zealand for years. Locals and tourists are captivated by the beauty and magic of bubbling mud, steam and hot water gushing from the earth. New Zealand's world-class geothermal resource is a source of energy, a tourist attraction and a treasure of great historical, cultural, spiritual and economic importance for Māori. In this book, Māori traditional stories, understandings and history stand alongside geothermal science in an exploration of the thermal phenomena of the Volcanic Plateau. Beautiful photographs show the hot pools, rising steam, geysers, bubbling mud and thermal formations that visitors see, and the text provides information about the natural history of the area, its formation and its significance to Māori. This is part of a series of four books on aspects of Maōri culture. The others are: Māori Carving: The Art of Preserving Māori History; Māori Weaving: The Art of Creating Māori Textiles; and Marae: The Heart of Māori Culture'--Publisher information.