Whakarewarewa Village is closed to the public after a woman visiting from Australia fell into a sinkhole near its entrance, suffering serious burns.
Whakarewarewa Village sinkhole on 29 July 2022. Photo: RNZ / Leah Tebbutt
The woman is in a serious but stable condition in Rotorua Hospital after the fall at the geothermal attraction yesterday.
Her husband, who was with her, was treated for moderate injuries. The couple are from Perth, Australia.
Village general manager Mike Gibbons said the attraction would be closed while WorkSafe and Rotorua Lakes Council investigated.
Photo: RNZ / Leah Tebbutt
The sinkhole was on Tyron Street, on a footpath leading into the village, he said, and was about 2m long and 1m wide and deep. The area will be closed off to the public.
Gibbons said it appeared the ground may have been compromised following heavy rainfall.
The road is closed. Photo: RNZ / Leah Tebbutt
Rotorua District Council said other roads in the village would be checked as a precaution.
Tourism agency Destination Rotorua is offering accommodation to the woman's family.
Chief executive Andrew Wilson said the active geothermal environment was unpredictable and tourism operators worked hard to ensure people's safety.
He said close to half the region's recent visitors had been from overseas, many from Australia and the United States.
