Joint research initiative · GNS Science & University of Waikato
The 1000 Springs Project
Documenting the physical, chemical, and microbial biodiversity of geothermal ecosystems across Aotearoa New Zealand. Funded by MBIE.
Primary goal
"The primary goal of the research project is to collate the physical, chemical, and microbial biodiversity information from 1,000 geothermal ecosystems from the Taupō Volcanic Zone."
Beyond documentation, the project aims to assess the conservation, cultural, recreational, and resource development value of microbial components in these geothermal ecosystems, knowledge that informs science, policy, and kaitiakitanga.
Research aims
01
Diversity assessment
Microbial and physicochemical diversity assessment for 1,000 geothermal features across the Taupō Volcanic Zone.
02
DNA archiving
Long-term archiving of environmental DNA at GNS Science and the University of Waikato.
03
Uniqueness metric
Development of an environmental indicator "uniqueness" metric for geothermal ecosystems.
Project outputs
| Output | Description |
|---|---|
| DB Online database | A publicly accessible database of geothermal spring records, measurements, and microbial diversity data. |
| DNA Genetic archive | A curated archive of environmental DNA samples preserved for future research. |
| MTR Uniqueness metric | A quantitative tool for assessing the conservation and scientific value of individual geothermal features. |
Institutions & funders
GNS Science
Lead research institution
Extremophiles Research Group & Applications Group
University of Waikato
Research partner
Thermophile Research Unit & Computer Science
MBIE
Funding body
Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Research team
GNS Science and University of Waikato. Roles as at time of project.
Matthew Stott
GNS Science
Senior Scientist, Microbiology & Microbial Ecology
Co-PI · sampling · geochemistry · ecology
Craig Cary
University of Waikato
Professor · Director DNA Sequencing · ERI Theme Leader
Co-PI · ecology · bioinformatics · sequencing
Jean Power
GNS Science
Senior Technician & Doctoral Candidate
Sampling coordination · geochemistry · ecology
Charlie Lee
University of Waikato
Research Fellow, Bioinformatics & Microbial Ecology
Bioinformatics · sequencing · ecology
Ian McDonald
University of Waikato
Associate Professor, Microbiology & Molecular Biology
Phylogenetics · bioinformatics · sequencing · ecology
Melissa Climo
GNS Science
Research Coordinator
Management · outreach · grant writing
Dave Evans
GNS Science
Field Staff
Field sampling · sample processing
Georgia Wakerley
University of Waikato
Laboratory Technician
DNA extraction · sequencing
Annika Hinze
University of Waikato
Lecturer, Information Systems & Databases
Applications development · database design
Mathew Button
Push Button Developments
Programmer, Applications Support
Website & database development
Duncan White
GNS Science
Analyst Programmer
Android & website development
Also assisted by
Carlo Carere · Karen Houghton · Kevin Lee · Microbiology in Extreme Environments
Site access & support
The following sites provided access and support for the 1000 Springs Project sampling programme.
Rotorua
Hell's Gate – Tikitere
State Highway 30, Tikitere
+64 7 345 3151
Te Puia
Hemo Rd, Te Whakarewarewa Valley
+64 7 348 9047
Waikite Valley Thermal Pools
Waikite Valley Road
+64 7 333 1861
Waimangu Volcanic Valley
Waikite Valley Road, off SH5
+64 7 366 6137
Waiotapu Thermal Wonderland
201 Waiotapu Loop Road RD 3
+64 7 366 6333
Whakarewarewa Village
17 Tryon Street, Whakarewarewa
+64 7 349 3463
Taupō
Huka Prawn Park
Karetoto Road, Wairakei Tourist Park, SH1
+64 7 374 8474
Orakei Korako Geothermal Park & Cave
494 Orakeikorako Road, Reporoa
+64 7 378 3131
Wairakei Terraces
Wairakei Rd, SH1 & 5
+64 7 378 0913
Turangi
Tokaanu Thermal Walk and Pools
Mangaroa St, Tokaanu
+64 7 386 8575
Contact
Matthew Stott · GNS Science
m.stott@gns.cri.nzCraig Cary · University of Waikato
caryc@waikato.ac.nzAbout this explorer
This explorer is a free, non-commercial tool for making the 1000 Springs Project dataset accessible to a broader audience: tourists, students, teachers, and researchers.
What this is
- ›A web-based field guide to NZ geothermal springs
- ›Built on the 1000 Springs Project dataset
- ›Free and open to everyone, no sign-up required
- ›Used under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence
What this is not
- ›Not commercial: no ads, subscriptions, or purchases
- ›Not a navigation tool: do not use it to access springs
- ›Not a source of cultural history or interpretation
A note on microbiology
Microbial diversity data comes from 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Identifications are to varying taxonomic ranks, from domain down to genus in some cases. This explorer deliberately avoids overclaiming species-level precision because the data does not support it.
Sequence read counts are not cell counts. Relative abundances reflect what was sequenced at the time of sampling, not absolute population sizes.
Cultural & access sensitivity
Many geothermal areas in this dataset hold deep cultural significance for local iwi and hapū. This explorer does not generate or imply any cultural history, meaning, or interpretation of sites.
Exact coordinates are shown only where clearly public. The camera overlay will not display restricted, private, or culturally sensitive sites.