Is a cure for cancer hidden in the thermals?

ROTORUA - A cure for cancer may lie hidden in a Central North Island geothermal field, but a squabble between local authorities could mean we will never know.

Environment Waikato is still in a dispute with Rotorua District Council and the Department of Conservation over whether research should take place at the Te Kopia geothermal field.

The regional council wants to take a better look at the field, near Waikite Valley, and then determine whether it can be developed or should stay protected. However, the Department of Conservation and Rotorua District Council want it left alone and want its protected status to remain.

Geothermal fields hold rare organisms. DNA fingerprinting was only made possible because of a geothermal organism discovered in the Yellowstone National Park in the US.

Scientist Katherine Luketina, from Environment Waikato, said the potential of the microbes was still being investigated.

"They could be things like a potential cancer cure or a way to get precious metals out of rocks."

A group of scientists at Waikato University -- including internationally acclaimed scientists from Scotland and the US -- were among those looking at the medical benefits.

She believes scrapping the protected rating, and allowing for research, will not cause negative effects on the Te Kopia system, which is believed to feed tourism hot spot Orakei Korako.

With research, scientists would be able to see what lies in the field.

It would also mean they could decide whether there was potential for future development, like a geothermal power system.

A decision on the future of the field looks a while away. Unless the parties agree, the issue looks set to go to the Environment Court in the first half of next year.

The classification of the Ngatamariki field near Reporoa is also under dispute, the Department of Conservation saying it, too, should be protected.

Ms Luketina said once a system was classed as protected, only the regional council or Minister for the Environment could change the classification.

Caption: A cure for cancer could lie within the geothermal fields which may feed Orakei Korako.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES