11 June 2026: Closure of Whakaue Street bores

Media: Rotorua Daily Post

Topic: Closure of Whakaue Street geothermal bores

Enquiry

I understand the council might be closing off a bore at the A-frame apartments on Whakaue St (next to Lady Jane's) as the bore is deemed unsafe.

I'm yet to interview those who live there but I understand they weren't made aware of this by the council or their landlord (the body corp).

The impact is some elderly people will, as of tomorrow, have no heating in the middle of winter and haven't had time to get heat pumps etc installed.

Can I please ask the council if the work is urgent, why it's urgent and whether there's a possibility it can be put off until summer.

Response

Yesterday we confirmed the following, noting we were working on gathering further information:

That work has started to permanently close two bores in Whakaue Street due to their poor condition and associated safety risks.

Today we provided the following additional information:

Rotorua Lakes Council understands this work may raise questions for nearby residents, businesses and visitors. Our priority is to manage the situation safely, minimise disruption where possible, and keep the community informed throughout the process.

Work has begun to safely and permanently close two geothermal bores near the Lake Terrace Apartments on Whakaue Street following concerns about their condition and the potential risks they pose to public safety and nearby property.

Since 2024, Rotorua Lakes Council, Bay of Plenty Regional Council and WorkSafe have been working closely together and maintaining regular communication with the apartment Body Corporate and neighbouring businesses. Discussions have focused on the expiry of the bores’ consents, their deteriorating condition, and their proximity to the apartment complex, surrounding businesses and a public walkway.

Testing undertaken in January 2025 confirmed the bores had significantly deteriorated and were at risk of failure. This created potential safety risks for people, nearby buildings and infrastructure. Following this assessment, Council advised the Body Corporate and neighbouring businesses that alternative heating and water sources would need to be arranged.

In February 2026, Rotorua Lakes Council formally advised the Body Corporate and neighbouring businesses that both bores would need to be permanently closed by the end of April 2026. This timeframe was provided to allow sufficient opportunity for alternative heating and water arrangements to be put in place.

Prior to 8 June 2026, Council had not received a response from the Body Corporate following this advice. Neighbouring businesses have since secured alternative services and arrangements.

Rotorua Lakes Council remains committed to working constructively with the Body Corporate and will continue to support a safe and practical transition wherever possible.

Council works directly with bore owners, who are responsible for communicating with their tenants and occupants. We will continue to provide updates to the community as further information becomes available.

Under the Rotorua District Council Geothermal Bylaw 2016, Rotorua Lakes Council has a responsibility to protect public safety and ensure the safe operation and proper maintenance of shallow geothermal production and re-injection bores, including associated headworks, pipework and plant. The decision to permanently close these bores has been made with public safety as the primary consideration.

Follow-up questions and response:

Can I ask please what happens when a bore fails? Does that mean it blows up, hot water shoots out like a geyser etc and can be very dangerous? Just need that connection to explain why it's a safety risk.

Geothermal systems are naturally unpredictable, and while the exact nature of a failure can’t be determined, these bores present a level of risk that requires them to be safely closed.

Also, I don't suppose you can tell me, if it's not too much hassle, how many bores have been closed by the council in the past 12 months (or whatever timeframe is easier for you collect)?

Since June 2025, 15 ageing or deteriorating bores have been safely closed, with eight replaced.

The reporter was also informed that the two bores have been closed.