Located on the hill of Tarawera mountain, central North Island of New Zealand. One of the most active ring of fire. Waimangu Volcanic Rift Valley is the hydro thermal system created as the direct result of the volcanic eruption of Mount Tarawera on 1886.

The name 'Waimangu' means 'black waters' in Māori, the indigenous language of New Zealand. This name comes from the water that was thrown up by the famous Waimangu Geyser, which was black with mud and rocks.