We then went on a guided tour to the mud pools and geysers. Our guide told us why they believe the heat was in this area. The original Maoris came in long canoes from a tiny island somewhere in the Pacific. When they landed on White Island in the Bay of Plenty they spread out and the Te Arawa Waka tribe headed into the centre of the North Island. They reached the mountains in Tongariro they were in the snow and very cold. They called on fire gods to help them get warm. These gods came underground to White Island where they surfaced but couldn't find the Maoris so continued underground again. Everywhere the gods surfaced they left fire which is the Pathway of Fire resulting in volcanoes and geysers.

The mud pools were bubbling and Pohutu geyser was erupting. There was a strong smell of sulphur and the rocks were white with silica.