Website takes a thorough soak in hot pools

A university student has created a website for people eager for information on New Zealand's hot pools.

Sheldon Nesdale, 28, a Waikato University student, hopes the site will lead to more people enjoying the 100 or so geothermal resources featured.

Mr Nesdale, who is completing an honours degree in electronic commerce, decided to share his passion for hot pools by creating the website, drawing on information featured in Sally Jackson's Hot Springs of New Zealand.

The website includes commercial thermal springs, such as Waikite Valley Thermal Pools and Hell's Gate, and lesser-known "freebie" pools off the beaten track.

"In designing it, I wanted to make sure this would be the only website anyone would ever need to access New Zealand's thermal hot pools," said Mr Nesdale.

The website was welcomed by Destination Rotorua general manager Don Gunn as "a great initiative".

Rotorua has about 40 thermal springs within a 50km radius, and Waikato has nine.