Rotorua Geothermal Valley Tragedy: Man Who Died Named as Robert Phillips

A man who died following a medical event at Rotorua's Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley on Sunday has been remembered as a "real character". He was today named by his colleagues as Robert (Piripi) John Kihi Mita Taupopoki Phillips, a tour guide and evening experience duty manager at tourist attraction Te Puia. Emergency services were called around 9.40pm on Sunday after Phillips was pulled from the water unconscious following a medical event at The Blueys, a geothermal pool located near the base of the Pōhutu Geyser. He was unable to be revived, police said. Phillips was remembered by chief executive Tim Cossar as a "long-term and much-loved member of our Te Puia whānau". Cossar said Phillips had made a "significant contribution hosting manuhiri for more than 20 years". "He leaves a big gap. Rob was a real character and we’ll miss him dearly. "We take comfort in knowing that his wairua will forever remain in the valley that he loved so much." A rāhui was placed over The Blueys on Monday morning by Te Paetapu o Te Pākira Marae until further notice. Phillips' body was led through a final tour of Te Puia with a large procession of whānau, friends and colleagues before being taken to Whakarewarewa Village, where he was received at Te Pākira Marae.