Terraces underwater - Author

DEDICATED: Herby Fitzgerald has spent 14 years researching his book. PHOTO/BEN FRASER

When Herby Fitzgerald first set out to find Rotorua's famed Pink and White Terraces, many thought he was wasting his time.

Now, 14 years on, he has just published a book with the findings of his years of research dedicated to finding answers to what happened to the famed tourist attraction after the 1886 Tarawera eruption.

He believes he knows the location of them underwater at Lake Rotomahana, and hopes that the book will spur someone into finding a way to restore them.

Mr Fitzgerald said he started working on the book about 14 years ago.

"There was never any clear answer on what happened to them so I decided to find out."

He said he got plenty of flak when he decided to write the book with everyone telling him they had been blown up - but he didn't think there was enough evidence. "My colleagues all said I was wasting my time but I had nothing else to do in the weekend, and it was relaxing."

The academics were not interested, but Mr Fitzgerald bought himself a trailer sailor, got the permits required and started exploring the area.

His background working as an electrician with mining engineers in Australia had helped forge his strong interest in geology.

Mr Fitzgerald said he hoped his book would renew interest in the terraces.

The book, The Pink and White Terraces Revisited, was released about two weeks ago.